Published: April 21, 2009 7:00 PM Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star
Lumby residents are bracing for a significant increase in property taxes. The village portion of the tax bill could increase 8.4 per cent or $51 a year for a home assessed at $253,000. “It works out to about $1 a week,” said Ken Klassen, chief financial officer. The primary reason for the increase is the fact that the federal and provincial governments have committed funding towards bridge and trail improvements. The village’s portion of the work is $204,067. “We have to come up with it, or we don’t get the grants,” said Coun. Lori Mindnich. On top of the infrastructure projects, the village is adding a crime prevention program and costs for fire inspection have climbed $16,000 because the North Okanagan Regional District is no longer providing the service. “All of these things influence the bottom line,” said Klassen.
Mindnich admits that the budget will negatively impact some people but she tries to put the 8.4 per cent increase in perspective. “It’s cheaper than a cup of coffee,” she said of the $1 a week. “We’re cutting back as much as we can but people want more policing and services.” Mindnich is also confident the budget will provide some benefits because an Armstrong firm has been hired to replace the Shuswap Avenue bridge. “Hopefully it will stimulate the North Okanagan economy,” she said. The tax bill residents receive will likely include other hikes, but they are for jurisdictions beyond the village. “We have no control over the regional district, schools and the library,” said Mindnich. A public input meeting on the proposed budget will be held May 4 and provincial legislation mandates that the budget be adopted by council by May 15.
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