Sterile Insect Release (SIR) Program

Below is a data analysis of the SIR Tax Requisition. All participating areas at RDNO (Vernon, Coldstream, Armstrong, Spallumcheen and Areas B & C are charged on the basis of land value assessment only. That is how it arrives on your property tax bill. (Nord1 assessed land only in Vernon.) Total in 2017 $294,272. Vernon's share in 2017 $191,367 (65.03%). My personal share on my property was $11.99 in 2017.

The actual fruit growers acreage to which this program applies is charged on the property tax bill is a per acre charge of $139.26. Total acreage for the RDNO fruit growers is 1165.15 acres and a total charge of $162,259 in 2016. Vernon fruit growers had 135.85 (11.66%) of the total acreage and were taxed $18,919.

If the taxpayers of Vernon were charged on the basis of fruit acreage in their jurisdiction rather than assessed land values as is the present formula the taxes required would be reduced by $157,064. In 2009 the difference was calculated to be a $157,906 reduction.

Naturally if this formula changed to Fruit acreage only other areas would be effected.
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