Assessment Offices Merged

Written by Peter McIntyre Tuesday, 13 October 2009 15:44107.5 KISSFM:

The BC Assessment offices in Vernon and Penticton are being relocated to Kelowna effective December 31st of 2010.The authority says 9 staff in Penticton and 13 in Vernon will not lose their jobs but will be offered employment in the Kelowna office. BC Assessment President and CEO Connie Fair says amalgamating the functions will save taxpayers $441-thousand dollars annually.Fair says the Kelowna office will be expanded to accommodate the transferring employees.

Fair says, "The leases for the two small offices are expiring so it's an opportune time to amalgamate these operations. The timing gives the 22 staff about one year to make arrangements to relocate. Very few of BC Assessment's customers make inquiries in person at offices. In the Okanagan region, more than 84 percent of customers prefer the telephone to make contact."