EDITORIAL: Tourism centre remains in doubt

posted May 14, 2014 at 1:00 AM Morning Star Editorial
It appears the City of Vernon may have put the cart before the horse. Considerable effort went into turning the old Correale building on 39th Avenue into a new visitors information centre, including spending $292,215 on extensive renovations and landscaping so the facility is appealing to tourists. However, the original May 1 opening date has fallen by the wayside and there is no indication as to when the centre’s doors will open. The problem is the Ministry of Transportation has not signed off on the city’s rezoning process so a visitors centre is an appropriate land use there (the ministry gets involved with any development within 800 metres of a highway). City officials may have assumed the ministry would rubber stamp the rezoning, but that obviously wasn’t the case. After all, the ministry has to consider the potential impact a development may have on highway traffic. It’s also likely reviewing the city’s request for a left-turn signal at 32nd Street and 39th Avenue, and given that provincial coffers are tight, there’s no guarantee funding will be available. The other issue to consider is the wheels of bureaucracy grind slow so the expectation of a decision before May 1 was overly optimistic. Coun. Bob Spiers isn’t sure what Victoria’s ultimate decision will be. “If it (centre) ever opens. If they haven’t given approval by now, who knows. They’ve had it for a couple of months,” he said. And given the ongoing delay, the city must consider the prospect of the ministry not endorsing rezoning. Is there a plan B for tourism services?

Sunday transit service expands in Vernon

by Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star posted Apr 28, 2014 at 9:00 AM— updated Apr 28, 2014 at 10:05 AM
Effective May 4, B.C. Transit customers in Vernon will enjoy longer Sunday service hours and more statutory holiday coverage. Sunday transit hours on routes two through seven will run from 8 am to 7 p.m. "That’s about five extra hours of service on each route. Customers on the route eight Bella Vista will also enjoy longer Sunday service hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.," said Meribeth Burton, B.C. Transit spokesperson. Vernon is also expanding its statutory holiday coverage. At this time, riders on routes one through eight will have Sunday service levels on Canada Day and Remembrance Day. Added to that, customers on routes two through eight will benefit from Sunday service levels on Victoria Day, B.C. Day, Labour Day and Easter Monday. For more information on schedules and routes consult www.bctransit.com/regions/ver/ or contact your local transit provider at 250-545-7221.
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This service extension was approved in the 2014 budget. The 2014 portion will be taken from the transit reserve but the estimated $71,828 will be added to 2105 taxes and thereafter.

http://www.vernon.ca/services/finance/documents/Adopted_2014-2018_Financial_Plan.pdf (p525)

Parking Fee Options Considered

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Tuesday, 25 March 2014 06:00
City staff will take a closer look at the options for parking meter fees in downtown Vernon. The current dollar an hour rates have upset some merchants and drivers since taking effect last year, and varied rates outside of 30th Avenue, will be explored. Mayor Rob Sawatzky is concerned reducing the rates could cut up to $190,000 from annual revenues. "There are consequences to doing that and they are pretty significant. We run a very tight budget and there folks who want more amenities and services, and reducing parking rates, reduces that," says Sawatzky. Administrator Will Pearce warned council any changes to the fees would likely affect the tax rate, to keep the budget balanced, although surplus funds could be another option. Councillor Juliette Cunningham says businesses have given their input. "We know that a lot of them are hurting. It's not always easy to assess the reason for that, but we've heard quite clearly that parking is having an impact," says Cunningham who has owned a business downtown for 24 years. Councillor Mary Jo O'Keefe says she supports keeping the higher rates in the high occupancy areas, saying that keeps the vehicles moving. Councillor Brian Quiring says if the fees are lowered, parking fines should be doubled. "If people are abusing them, then slam them," he said. "I feel like we made a mistake. We're hitting the downtown negatively," added Quiring about having the $1 an hour rates in all meters, going against what a consultant recommended when council was originally looking into the issue.

Parks agreement nearing finish line

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Feb 2, 2014 at 1:00 AM— updated Feb 28, 2014 at 3:41 PM
Greater Vernon officials have authored a new relationship but the seal of approval is still needed. The Ministry of Community Development has still not signed off on new bylaws to restructure how parks and recreational facilities operate. “We’d like to have a meeting with the minister to make sure this is expedited,” said director Jim Garlick. “We want to make sure we meet all of the requirements.” Under the agreements, some parks will remain part of a collective that all jurisdictions fund while the majority will become the responsibility of Coldstream, Vernon and the electoral areas individually. Facilities were taken out of the bylaws because they will now be administered by the City of Vernon, although Coldstream and the electoral areas will continue to provide operational funds. Director Rob Sawatzky believes it’s critical for the ministry to approve the new structure. “The first agreement was signed (by the parties) in November 2012 and they were supposed to take effect in January 2014. We’re well past the ideal time for that,” he said. “There’s lots of other work that needs to go on and this needs to be done.” The goal is to have the matter resolved long before November’s civic elections when a new group of politicians could possibly revisit the matter if there is no ministry approval. “When things are not solidified in a term, problems can arise,” said Garlick.

Opposition fails to derail tourism plan

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Feb 26, 2014 at 1:00 AM

Vernon politicians remain committed to a tourism strategy despite vocal opposition. About 35 residents attended a public hearing Monday and while most spoke against rezoning 3004 39th Avenue to allow for a tourism booth, council voted 4-1 for third reading of the zoning bylaw. “We decided in November that consolidating (tourism booths) is a good idea and being close to downtown is good for economic development,” said Coun. Brian Quiring. However, that view wasn’t supported by most of the residents in the audience. “This is a very high-density neighbourhood,” said Maurie Deaton, who owns property near the site next to Civic Arena. “You’re asking for 16,000 people and their dogs to be in their backyards. Tourism is important but so are the people in the neighbourhood.” Much of the concern revolved around traffic and the view that vehicles, including large RVs, will have a difficult time getting from the highway and on to 39th Avenue. “There’s a turning lane but no (turning) light. You can’t get off there,” said resident Roy Heinrichs, adding that vehicles waiting to turn will back up traffic. A left-turn light on 32nd Street could cost $140,000, with it being split between the city and the Ministry of Transportation. The city would be responsible for any turn lights on 27th Street. Some speakers also suggested that large RVs will be unable to make right-hand turns on to 39th Avenue from 32nd Street. Many of the speakers stated the current north and south tourism booths serve the needs of visitors and the city’s centralization plan will not work. “Tourist centres should be visible. By relocating it to 39th Avenue, it’s not visible,” said resident Eric Jackson. Mike Mattinson, who runs a bed and breakfast, is concerned visitors won’t find the new tourism centre and that will disrupt his customer flow. “Seventy per cent of my business comes from the visitors centre,” he said. “If customers don’t go into that rezoned area, we go under.” However, support for the city’s plan came from businessperson Ingrid Baron, who says the 39th Avenue site is near hotels and restaurants. “It will be a catalyst to beautify the area,” said Baron, a member of the city’s tourism advisory committee. When it came time for third reading for the rezoning bylaw, a majority of council was in favour. “A traffic study has been done and it shows there’s enough room to turn,” said Coun. Catherine Lord. Coun. Juliette Cunningham is confident visitors will find the new location. “We’ll have signage. If someone is determined to stay at a bed and breakfast in the community, they will find the tourist information centre,” she said. The only council member to vote against third reading was Bob Spiers (Mary-Jo O’Keefe was absent). “I’m getting more concerned about the economics. I’m not sure the (financial) figures are accurate,” he said. City staff have stated that centralizing tourism services will save $70,000 annually and $292,215 will be needed to renovate the building. The rezoning bylaw could be adopted by council March 10.
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BEYOND THE HEADLINES: Opening it up
by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Feb 26, 2014 at 1:00 AM
Vernon’s mayor learned Monday that you sometimes have to go with the flow. Rob Sawatzky tried to take a firm hand during a public hearing on rezoning property next to Civic Arena although the full house wanted to talk about the city’s proposal to relocate the visitor information centre to that neighbourhood. “We’re not here to discuss the process the tourism advisory committee pursued (in determining a location),” he told the first speaker who veered from the narrow focus of the session. But after a few more speakers, it became evident that Sawatzky had accepted reality. “I’ve kind of given up,” he said of sticking to a hearing strictly based on zoning. And that was a logical move given that the city set the tone for the discussion even before the public hearing had started. As residents filed into council chambers, they were handed a document entitled, FAQ about visitor services and the centralization of Vernon visitor centres. It explained the role of visitor centres, how the role is changing, centre usage, the challenges with the current locations, why the new site is preferred and projected cost savings. Not once in the document is there any mention of rezoning, which was supposed to be the sole intent of the public hearing. Now the simple fact that such a document was produced demonstrates that city officials are more than aware of the concerns, if not downright opposition, about shutting down the existing tourism booths and shifting visitors’ traffic patterns. They had to know Monday’s debate wouldn’t just be about shifting zoning from street-oriented commercial to public institutional. “This is the only avenue people have to express their disbelief in this location,” said Coun. Bob Spiers, the only member of council to vote against the zoning bylaw. And the discussion should go beyond just zoning as building renovations will cost $292,215, traffic on Highway 97 could be impacted and residents in that immediate neighbourhood have to adjust to the comings and goings of visitors. While the city’s tourism advisory committee endorsed the new site, was there broad consultation with the tourism sector to see what impact moving the centre may have on them? At least one tourism operator stated Monday that he had not been approached ahead of time. But perhaps the biggest hit for transparency and due process came when it was revealed that there is a sign in the 39th Avenue building stating, “Coming soon, new home of the visitor centre.” “How can you do that, when you don’t have the proposal approved?” resident Ken Cuffe asked council. In relation to the sign, staff explained that council had already given its blessing to the location in November and the rezoning is purely procedural to ensure the proper land use. That’s all true, but without rezoning, it’s been made abundantly clear that the tourism information centre would not go there. So, posting the sign before the public had its say and a final council vote was extremely premature. Perception is everything in government, and many residents left Monday’s public hearing not feeling good about the experience. “It’s already a done deal,” said one man. “We might as well just get up and go.” And get up and go is exactly what they did.

Plans to uproot visitor centres proceed

By Charlotte Helston Info-Tel Multimedia February 25, 2014 - 4:24 PM
VERNON - Public opposition to the relocation of Vernon’s tourist information centre didn’t sway city council during the proposal’s final hurdle. Around 35 people attended a public hearing Monday to rezone property on 39 Avenue beside Civic Arena to make way for a new centralized visitor centre. It would put the city’s two existing centres under one roof. The hearing was intended for rezoning purposes, but Mayor Rob Sawatzky says the public had a different idea. “People had views on the tourist information centre and they were frustrated there is no built-in mechanism for public input, so they used this as an opportunity for that,” Sawatzky says. He says the city was never required to hold public input sessions around the relocation. Residents had a number of concerns over the move, ranging from access off the highway, to increased traffic in the neighbourhood. The owner of a local bed and breakfast said he would lose referrals because the new location won’t be as busy. Denying the zoning change would have curbed the project, and Sawatzky says it wasn’t an easy decision. “It’s never enjoyable making a decision contrary to what those who attend (want), even when the facts seem to be pretty clear,” Sawatzky says. He’s confident in the recommendations from staff and the tourism advisory committee that the new centralized location is the right decision. “I’d point out the move to amalgamate the tourist centres was made by groups of people whose livelihoods depend on the tourism industry. I think that speaks loudly,” Sawatzky says. Coun. Bob Spiers, who has been skeptical of the proposal from the outset, was the only councillor to vote against rezoning the property.

Tourist Centre Moves Ahead Despite Concerns

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Monday, 24 February 2014 21:30
Opponents greatly outnumbered supporters at a public hearing to rezone the new site for Vernon's centralized visitor information centre. About 35 people were on hand for the session at City Hall which lasted two and a half hours. The site at 3004 39th Ave would change from C4 street oriented commercial, to P2, public institutional. Resident Roy Heinricks says tourist vehicles won't easily be able to get to the city-owned site near the Civic Arena. "So what's the purpose of rezoning this to a tourist booth when you can't get access to it, and when you leave, how do you get out of there?" Nearby resident Maury Deaton was concerned about increased traffic in her neighborhood. "So what I'm asking you to do today is reconsider the needs of the residents in this neighborhood. There's a lot of them. You're asking for 16-thousand people to be in their back yard, with their dogs, and their kids, and their dog's poop." Silver Star Road resident Mike Mattinson says it will impact bed and breakfast's like his. "It is with great regret that if this rezoning goes ahead, I will lose my business. I believe there are 24 other (B and B) establishments in this area that will also go under if this is rezoned." Mattinson says he relies on referrals from the centre and he feels the new site won't be near as busy as the previous two at each end of the city. Others felt there won't be enough parking, or that the current info centres at each end of town should be kept. Ingrid Baron was the lone person to speak in favour, feeling it will draw tourists. "It will be a catalyst to beautify the area. Usually, once you start beautifying buildings, the others take suit." Baron also felt nearby hotels would prosper from the centre's location. After the input session, council voted 4 to 1 to give third reading to the rezoning, with those in favour (Lord, Quiring, Cunningham and Sawatzky) calling it a tough decision. Bob Spiers was the lone opponent, opposed to the site primarily over traffic and accessibility issues.

Tourism site draws protest

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Feb 23, 2014 at 1:00 AM
A Vernon resident hopes to overturn plans to relocate tourism services. Maurie Deaton believes a rezoning public hearing Monday is a chance to tell city hall that relocating the visitors information centre next to Civic Arena is misguided. “This is a chance to have a say,” said Deaton, who owns property in the neighbourhood. Deaton’s primary concern is with more vehicles coming into the neighbourhood. “The amount of traffic on 39th Avenue has increased already and to have trailers (turning off the highway) will back up traffic,” she said. “There are a lot of people who live around there.” Deaton isn’t convinced that converting the current building at 3004 39th Ave. into a tourism booth will benefit restaurants and other businesses. “People won’t wander into town. It’s too hot in the summer and there’s no shade,” she said. Deaton believes the existing tourism booths at the north and south ends of town provide the best access for tourists. “It’s a duplication of service most people are willing to pay,” she said of the city’s contention that merging facilities will reduce operating costs. Coun. Brian Quiring defends the city’s proposal. “We need to do everything we can to bring people into the downtown core,” he said. “Right now, it’s too easy to fly right through Vernon.” He also points out that the RV sani-dump is next to Civic Arena and there is sufficient room for large vehicles to park. Quiring says signage will allow tourists to get off the highway and find the new information centre and he insists that there are problems with vehicles getting to the south tourism booth near the army camp. “It’s a dangerous intersection there.” About $292,215 will be needed to convert the building on 39th Avenue into a tourism information centre. The city is proposing to rezone the site from commercial to public institutional to allow for a tourism booth. The public hearing will be Monday at 5:30 p.m. at city hall.
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The Advisory Planning Committee's recommendation on this matter can be found at P.4-5 of 
http://www.vernon.ca/images/uploads/council/committees/140225.pdf

Lumby council gives approval to tax hike

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Feb 21, 2014 at 1:00 AM
Lumby’s financial plan is moving ahead. Council has given second and third reading to the proposed 2014 budget, including a 3.98 per cent per cent tax increase or an extra $30 for the average home. “There’s been a lot of discussion back and forth,” said Coun. Lori Mindnich. “The big issue is putting money into reserves. If there is a government grant available and it needs matching funds, we need to have the money.” The 3.98 per cent tax increase translates into an additional $31,234 in revenue for the village. Like many communities, Lumby is facing an infrastructure deficit. “When we redo roads, we also want to do the water and sewer lines at the same time,” said Mindnich. Prior to bylaw readings, the public was asked to provide input on the financial plan. “No one showed up to talk about the budget,” said Mayor Kevin Acton. “That leaves us all guessing (about public support). It would be nice to have feedback from taxpayers.” Acton believes the village has been financially prudent. “We’re putting even more money into reserves,” he said. “Village staff has been incredible at tightening the belt.” The 2014 budget must still be adopted by council.

Film agency wants budget boost

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Feb 9, 2014 at 1:00 AM
Taxpayers are being asked to pump more money into the film industry. The Okanagan Film Commission has requested the Regional District of North Okanagan increase its 2014 funding from $24,000 to $30,000 to cover the cost of scouting locations. “We ran short last year,” said Jon Summerland, film commissioner. According to the OFC, the agency received a total of $180,000 in government funding from all sources in 2013 and the return on investment was $14.4 million. In the case of Tomorrowland, it spent $3 million a week while in Grindrod, Enderby, and Armstrong last fall. “There were car rentals, tons of water was being used and lumber was being bought,” said Summerland, adding that local accommodations also benefitted. Most recently, a Hallmark movie-of-the-week was shot at Sparkling Hill Resort. “The north has been shining a lot,” said Summerland. Summerland insists that scouting is critical so producers know what kind of scenery is available to them in the Okanagan. “We are working for the money,” he said. “We go after the films. We’re not just sitting around waiting.” RDNO will consider the film commission request as part of its 2014 budget process.

Tourism location panned

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Jan 31, 2014 at 1:00 AM
Relocating Vernon’s tourist information centre is generating some debate. Coun. Bob Spiers is the lone opponent to rezoning 3004 39th Avenue, next to Civic Arena from commercial to public institutional to allow for a tourism booth. “I cannot support this going forward,” he said. Spiers believes the location could put motorists at risk because it will require left-hand turns off 32nd Street (Highway 97). It’s a concern that has been raised by many residents. “I can’t find anyone who agrees to the location,” said Spiers. However, Coun. Juliette Cunningham insists council has already made the decision on where the tourism centre will go and rezoning is just a procedural matter. “This is something put forward by council and staff is just following due process,” she said. The city will shut down the existing tourist booths at the north and south ends of the community and centralize them at the city-owned property on 39th Avenue by May 1. About $292,215 in renovations will be needed. The proposed rezoning will be the focus of a public hearing Feb. 24 at 5:30 p.m. at city hall. Council’s final decision on rezoning would occur after receiving public feedback. “Should council deny the rezoning, I would suggest we would be back to square one,” said Kim Flick, manager of community development.

Tender Call - Cancelled

ENG-14-03 TENDER Cancelled - 29th/30th St - 2014 Upgrades Feb-27-2014

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(Original Tender Call) (Original link not valid)
ENG-14-03 TENDER 29/30th St Transportation & Utility Corridor Feb-27-2014

Vernon tax increase rises slightly

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Jan 28, 2014 at 6:00 AM

Vernon’s financial plan remains fluid. Not quite two weeks after lowering a tax increase for 2014, Vernon council decided Monday to push the tax rate up from 3.1 to 3.23 per cent. The hike, which will cover the $34,000 needed to clear snow from inaccessible sidewalks, was opposed by Coun. Bob Spiers. “I’d rather have put it off to find a different solution,” said Spiers, adding that existing money, not raising taxes, could have gone to the expenditure. “I could identify $34,000 at the drop of a hat.” But while he voted against the tax increase, Spiers admits, “It’s a minor change.” The budget bylaw must still receive final adoption from council and it’s possible that the numbers could change again.

B.C. and Canada CPI History (Updated to Dec. 31, 2013)

West Kelowna residents face 2.95% tax hike

by Wade Paterson - Kelowna Capital News posted Jan 22, 2014 at 5:00 PM
If West Kelowna council stays on its current path, residents will face a 2.95 per cent tax increase for the second year in a row. Councillors gave first reading to the district's 2014 Financial Plan Tuesday. The proposed tax hike is tied for the third highest in the district's six-year history. The tax increase will generate an additional $714,969 of revenue, while growth of 1.25 per cent will add $302,953. West Kelowna RCMP's budget is up 3.07 per cent this year due to estimated contractual increases; West Kelowna Fire Rescue's budget increased by 3.39 per cent due to contractual wage increases and an increase in the administration overhead. Council also agreed to spend an extra $22,205 to train the district's firefighters in several "non-core" services, such as: Confined space rescue, ice rescue, road rescue, swift water rescue, high angle rescue and low angle rescue. The expenditure will likely result in improved response because those rescue services were previously provided regionally. Other notable operating budget increases include: A 6.34 per cent increase for bylaw enforcement, a 3.68 per cent increase for parks summer staff and a 6.84 per cent increase for the museum budget. West Kelowna's share of the 2014 transit cost for the district is more than $2.75 million; by 2023 it's projected to be nearly $3.3 million. Coun. Duane Ophus suggested council may need to rethink its transportation spending priorities in the future. "The cold hard reality, according to BC Transit numbers…transit accounts for one per cent of all trips made by residents of West Kelowna," said Ophus, who referenced information from BC Transit's presentation to council Nov. 12, 2013. "Transit sucks up—out of the total transportation budget, if you look at the cost of roads and the cost of transit—23 per cent of our dollars. The other 77 per cent goes into roads," said Ophus. "I realize how important transit is to a whole lot of people in West Kelowna…we just have to be really careful about where we go with this service." Ophus added the district's projected library costs over the next 10 years are too high. This year the district will pay about $1.3 million as part of its library grant. In ten years that cost could be nearly $1.6 million. "Library costs are expected to increase by 31 per cent over the next 10 years—they can not. "We are under continuous pressure from our constituents to provide more services. In order to provide more services, the existing ones that you provide, as they're spread over a bigger tax base, have to cost less, not more." Council opted to drop a $68,000 capital request for beach access improvements. A total of $4,917 in unallocated funds will be transferred to Reserves for Future Expenditures. A public open house for the draft budget will take place at Westbank Library Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 4 to 8 p.m. Refreshments will be provided and residents will have an opportunity to ask questions and voice their concerns with the proposed financial plan.

Kelowna council loves proposed new site for downtown tourist info centre

by Alistair Waters - Kelowna Capital News updated Jan 22, 2014 at 9:30 AM
Kelowna city hall's plan for a new tourist information centre on a downtown waterfront,parking lot at the foot of Queensway, has won the unanimous support of council. "It's all about location, location, location," said Coun. Maxine DeHart. "This is not a good location, it's the perfect location." The new site, chosen after council heard loud and clear from the public that it did not want to see a larger building built in part of nearby City Park, is expected to house a low-rise building of about 5,000-square-feet. While some in the community argued a highway location such as the one now being used in the Chamber of Commerce building on Harvey Avenue is better because it is more convenient to capture drive-by traffic, all on council Monday, as well as the chairman of Tourism Kelowna, said times have changed and "rubber-wheel" traffic is not as important for a visitor information centre anymore. Stan Martindale said with the Internet and GPS now popular, the existing centre on Harvey Avenue is not the spot for maps and directions anymore. He said now what's important is selling visitors on what there is to do here. And that, he added, can best be done in an area where visitors already are, namely Kelowna's downtown waterfront. With council's approval in hand, city staff will now start looking at what the new building should look like, how much it will cost and what it should include. That work is estimated to cost $50,000, with the city picking up $40,000 and Tourism Kelonwa paying the rest. The original plan called for a building more than twice the size to go in the corner of City Park, near the intersection of Abbott Street and Bernard Avenue. That building would have meant the removal of trees inthe park and Veendam Way, an area of the park that recognizes Kelowna's Dutch sister city Veendam. It is the area of the park that leads to the Kelowna cenotaph. With the switch to a new location, city officials said Veendam Way will not be impacted by the planned redevelopment plan for the park. And Coun. Colin Basran said he hopes now that the switch has been made, more people will look closer at other parts of the City Park plan becuase he feels it offers improvement to the popular downtown lakeshore park. "There are some really cool parts of that plan that were overshadowed by the Tourism Kelowna's (building) project," he said.  The new visitor information centre site received ringing endorsements from all members of council on hand Monday—three were away—with Coun. Robert Hobson calling it a site that is getting what it requires, a building while also maintaining public access to the waterfront with a connection of the existing waterfront walkway. That walkway is already in place in front of Stuart Park and Waterfront Park to the north and Kerry Park and City Park to the south. Coun. Gail Given noted a new centre will also not only help visitors but local business as well as tourists are steered to them through the centre. One councillor, Luke Stack even reverse-paraphrased Canadian singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell when he described the new plan as "unpaving a parking lot to built a little bit of paradise." As for council's response, Mayor Walter Gray said he's glad council waited to see what staff came back with. "I think this goes to show council was listening (when the public spoke out against the original City Park location)," said Gray. "We were listing but we did not have an answer then. Now we do," He said suggestion for the new site came from an unidentified city staffer, who suggested it his or her manager at City Hall.

No Vernon budget changes forecast

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Jan 17, 2014 at 1:00 AM

Going through the fine details doesn’t mean Vernonites should expect to pay less in taxes. Council spentWednesday and Thursday going through divisional reports as part of the proposed 2014 city budget. “All departments have been fiscally responsible and they have followed council’s strategic plan,” said Mayor Rob Sawatzky. “I don’t see any significant change taking place.” The budget calls for a 3.7 per cent tax increase — 1.8 per cent for operations and 1.9 per cent for infrastructure. Staffing levels are being reduced and some departments have been reorganized. “We are protecting the level of services enjoyed by our ratepayers,” sad Will Pearce, chief administrative officer. “Administration is pushing to increase efficiencies.” The budget calls for $1 million annually in road surfacing and $800,000 being invested in recreation facilities. “Vernon is not Montreal or Toronto where roads and bridges have deteriorated. We are protecting infrastructure,” said Pearce. As part of transparency, Pearce points out that shifting regional functions, such as parks, to the city will show up on tax notices. “Vernon tax rates will likely increase 17 to 19 per cent but the regional district requisition will decrease 15 to 17 per cent. Overall for all services, we are effectively balancing out,” he said. All departments have been asked to fall within a 1.8 per cent increase to their internal budget. That has proven challenging for the RCMP. “For 2014, the RCMP treasury board salary increase is two per cent. We had to find the difference between the 1.8 and two per cent through cost savings,” said Supt. Reg Burgess, the officer in charge of the local RCMP detachment. “I am confident we can do so without a reduction in crime.” It’s expected about $191,000 will be saved through restructuring recreation services, but officials say there will be increased maintenance at facilities like Kal Tire Place and the Vernon Recreation Complex. “We are always trying to keep on top of things. We are reallocating resources,” said Doug Ross, recreation services manager. Members of council will receive public input on the proposed 2014 budget one last time today at 11 a.m. at city hall.

http://www.vernon.ca/news/public_notices/Sand_for_resident_use.pdf

Budget 2014 POLL --------Vernon Budget Looms

http://www.1075kiss.com/  FNAL Result 

Is Vernon council's 3.7% tax hike proposal reasonable ?
should be less
23-	41.8%
yes
18-	32.7%
no
14-	25.5%

Number of Voters

:  55

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Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Friday, 10 January 2014 06:00
Most of the tough decisions will be made next week by Vernon council for the city's 2014 budget. Special meetings will be held Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at City Hall where staff and council will go through the document department by department. The public is welcome to attend the sessions, which will include public input at 11 on each day. City staff are recommending a tax hike of 3.7 percent, which would include 1.9 percent for infrastructure and 1.8 percent for operating increases.

Cemetery rates increase in Penticton

by Deborah Pfeiffer -CASTANET Jan 9, 2014 / 5:00 am
The cost of dying is going up significantly in Penticton. This week, council gave the final nod to cemetery rates increases, much higher than what they have been in the past, for the Lakeview and Fairview cemeteries. Councillor Helena Konanz, who voted against the agenda item, describes the change as drastic. "We had a couple of other options, and one was a more gradual increase, and I wanted that option," she said. "I also think people plan ahead for these things, and to have it increase so much in one year is hard on people." The cost of a standard plot size for residents will go from the 2013 rate of $555 to $971 in 2014. For non-residents, it will go from $735 to $1,286.25. While the rate change is for both cemeteries, Fairview is closed to new burials. According to communications officer Simone Blais, this decision comes after the city conducted a cemetery master plan last fall that showed that the city's Perpetual Care Fund was in need of a boost to ensure future demand is met. The report also found that internment services in Penticton were well below those in other Okanagan Valley municipalities. For example, Kelowna charges residents/non residents $999 and just announced they would be increasing their rates, and Kamloops charges $1,249 for residents and $1,534 for non-residents, according to Blais. "Staff did considerable research to ensure Penticton remains competitive in terms of associated fees," she said. Further information on the cemetery rate increases is available under the city council information on the city's website.