Coldstream Tax Increase Due to Low Assessments

Betty Selin 4/13/2011 105.7 SUNFM

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Coldstream Councillors got a bit of a surprise as they finalized the budget.  Councillor Maria Besso says they had to up the budget by point seven percent because of lower assessments.Besso says because assessments were down over 7-million dollars they had to increase the taxation or cut 28-thousand from their budget.  She says that will mean an additional $14.50 on an average home.  Coldstream Council has voted to send an application regarding the controversial Rosebush Gravel Pit to the Agricultural Land Commission.  Residents have expressed concerns about noisy, dust and hours of operation.  Councillor Maria Besso says Ted Osborn from the Coldstream Ranch addressed council's concerns at this week's meeting. She says if it is approved, council will put in place an additional agreement to address resident's concerns, over and above current by-laws. Trying to cover the cost of hooking up the O'Keefe Ranch to city water has gotten complicated. Coldstream Councillor Maria Besso says her motion that they come up with 20 cents per capita to cover their share failed to get a seconder.  Besso says it is very complicated, but councillors decided to contribute all the money they have left in their grants function 600-dollars, substantially less than the 2-thousand she feels would be Coldstream's fare share.  A popular Coldstream Park is getting a new name and hardly anyone will notice.  On April Fools someone posted a sign at Centennial Park that said, "Sovereign Park". Councillor Besso says that's what most people call the park, so why not re-name it to what it is commonly known as.  They'll ask GVS for a new sign.