Differences occur over Coldstream tax increase

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: February 20, 2010 12:00 PM

Opinions are divided over a looming tax hike in Coldstream. Coun. Pat Cochrane believes there is the possibility that the proposed 5.59 per cent residential tax increase can be trimmed before the 2010 financial plan is adopted. “I expect council will have some further discussions and there could be a bit of room for change,” he said. However, Coun. Maria Besso disagrees, saying the municipality’s costs are climbing while revenue has dropped. “We don’t want to cut back services,” she said. A 5.59 per cent hike would equate to an extra $47 for a home assessed at $468,500. About 12 people attended a public input meeting on the budget Wednesday, and Trevor Seibel, director of financial administration, says there were no complaints about the tax increase. “We explained some of the challenges we’re facing,” he said, adding 5.59 per cent is necessary because of the closed glass plant generating fewer tax dollars.

A total of $90,000 — which amounts to about a two per cent tax increase — has also been budgeted for legal costs if the City of Vernon attempts to withdraw from the regional water function. “There’s been discussions about reducing it but it’s still tenuous where the direction will go,” said Besso of recent attempts to keep the water utility intact. “Until we have confidence the water issue won’t go to litigation, we want to keep that money in the budget to protect the rights of Coldstream.” Another aspect of the budget is infrastructure. “We have to start dealing with the roads,” said Mayor Jim Garlick. “It’s like your house, you have to take care of it.” The proposed budget calls for $292,000 for road maintenance and equipment infrastructure. According to Seibel, the residents that showed up Wednesday had considerable interest in the financial process. “There were good questions and good dialogue about what’s going on,” he said. “Everyone seemed to understand the direction council is taking.” The 2010 budget could be adopted by council by the end of March.