Postal Dispute Could Impact Tax Payments

Posted on 6/23/2016 12:38 PM by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM

A possible strike or lockout at Canada Post means Vernon residents may have to find another way to pay their property taxes -- or get it in the mail quickly. The postal service could be impacted by the dispute as early as July 2, a couple days before the deadline for paying taxes at the City of Vernon on July 4. City spokesperson Tanya Laing Gahr says late payments will be subject to a ten percent penalty. "In the event of a Canada Post strike or lockout, property owners are responsible for making sure payment is received by the due date. Postmarks are not accepted as payment date," says Laing-Gahr. Payments -- which can include post dated cheques -- can also be made in person at City Hall, at the drop box at City Hall's front entrance, or online through financial institutions. Laing-Gahr isn't sure what the turnaround time for mail delivery in Vernon, but it's at least a few days as the mail is taken down to Vancouver to be sorted, and then brought back to the Okangan for delivery.

Interactive Tax Calculators Online

The City of Vernon's calculator for the 2016 Tax Season is now online

ESTIMATOR  City of Vernon

To estimate your 2016 municipal taxes, enter the property assessment values from your BC Assessment Notice in the boxes below. This estimated calculation only applies to the 2016 tax year.  https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/taxes-grants/property-taxes/estimator 

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Don Quixote Online Calculators below:
Simply put in the 2015 and 2016 tax assessments for land and Improvements in the YELLOW Sections ONLY and the calculator will spit out your taxes for 2016 .

Prelim  2015/16  tax calculator Vernon residential
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OqMK_AmM38EYorIhFsDK4IJ83R3Avd7gienPkOO9BtA/edit#gid=0

PRELIM  2015/2016  Vernon business class 6 tax calculator 
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15di70YCpt74iWBuYRd9pGWILJHQleW6un68DOS0q68g/edit#gid=0

Prelim   2015/16 tax Calculator Coldstream residential
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xf44z97LOfYKSivp0iZFv34gihgfO4BKHnh_zitLp8g/edit#gid=0
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This  calculator below  is an illustration of the the comparative tax rates between Coldstream and Vernon for your property assessments for land and Improvements. Find out what you would pay in Coldstream if you lived in Vernon and Vice versa.
PRELIM of 2016  comparison Coldstream vs Vernon residential calculator
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14JHxQ3709MWkQLq9Z0gZe4ljqA1X-8CkqZ0excSlVEo/edit#gid=0

2016 Prelim Property Tax Calculators

by Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star posted May 1, 2016 at 1:00 AM

Coldstream sets tax rates.
Coldstream taxes are climbing 3.5 per cent. Additionally, council approved a decrease in the tax multiplier for class 9 - farm. “Together, the average residential home assessed at approximately $491,473, (4.4 per cent increase over 2015) it is estimated that the average property will pay an additional $62 (or $1.19 per week),” said Pat Higgins, director of financial administration, in her report.
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It appears that the Farm Tax Ratio in Coldstream has been reduced down to 3.80   (8.7691/2.3077= 3.80)
The Vernon Farm Tax ratio is .7942/3.6716 =  .2163.
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/span>On Monday both Vernon Council and Coldstream Council passed 3 readings of the Property Tax rates as shown below.
Vernon:
THAT Bylaw #5592, "Tax Rates Bylaw Number 5592 —2016" — a bylaw for the levying of rates for Municipal,Hospital, Regional District and Specified Area purposes forthe Year 2016, be read a first, second and third time.(P. 119) 

Coldstream:
195 - 199 5.c. District of Coldstream Tax Rates Bylaw No. 1680, 2016 Report from the Director of Financial Administration dated April 13, 2016 Bylaw 1680, a bylaw to establish the tax rates and provide for the payment of taxesfor the year 2016Bylaw 1680 (Three Readings)

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The Only rates that have not been finalized are the School Rate (which traditionally has been increased by the Provincial CPI rate for 2015 1.9% estimated) and the BC Assessment rate which should be minimal change.   When these 2 rates are finalized the calculators below will be adjusted to reflect those changes. I have used a 1.9% School Tax Increase and will change when Finalized.

I have taken the liberty of using the proposed rates that were ratified to have interactive calculators made so you can see the effect of these property tax rate changes for 2016.: Simply put in the 2015 and 2016 tax assessments for land and Improvements in the YELLOW Sections ONLY and the calculator will spit out your taxes for 2016 .

Prelim   2015/16 tax Calculator Coldstream 
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xf44z97LOfYKSivp0iZFv34gihgfO4BKHnh_zitLp8g/edit#gid=0

Prelim  2015/16  tax calculator vernon residential
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OqMK_AmM38EYorIhFsDK4IJ83R3Avd7gienPkOO9BtA/edit#gid=0

PRELIM  2015/2016  Vernon business class 6 tax calculator 
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15di70YCpt74iWBuYRd9pGWILJHQleW6un68DOS0q68g/edit#gid=0

PRELIM of 2016  comparison coldstream vs vernon residential calculator
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14JHxQ3709MWkQLq9Z0gZe4ljqA1X-8CkqZ0excSlVEo/edit#gid=0

The above calculator is an illustration of the the comparative tax rates between Coldstream and Vernon for your property assessments for land and Improvements. Find out what you would pay in Coldstream if you lived in Vernon and Vice versa.

Enjoy the Beta calculators and hopefully I have plugged in the rates properly. (Dam 6 and 8 tend to blur on rates sheets).

Council sets tax rate

by Kate Bouey - CASTANET Apr 12, 2016 / 5:00 am
It will cost the average Vernon homeowner an extra $41.15 in city taxes this year. Council opted to have no changes to the allocation levy in 2016 although some councillors pressed for more help for business. Figures show that on a home costing $341,113, taxpayers will pay $1,252.43 to cover City of Vernon operating and capital costs in 2016. Coun. Scott Anderson fretted that business owners should see a reduction in business rate. While acting mayor Catherine Lord pointed out the business rate had been reduced over the past number of years, Coun. Brian Quiring said those reductions had moved at a “glacial speed.” “I'd like to send a message out that we'd like to keep moving it down. There are still a lot of empty buildings in downtown Vernon and it's hard on landlords to carry them and they need help." Quiring said he would have preferred a different levy that would have taken the tax burden off of business and placed it on the homeowner. That option would have cost the average homeowner $93.99 extra in taxes this year.

RDNO Tax Requisition History

Below is a history of the RDNO Tax Requisition from 2011 to the proposed charges in 2016.
The adoption of this budget occurred at the RDNO meeting on Wednesday March 23 at 4 PM.

The overall tax increase works out to be 1.20%. Parcel Taxes are increasing by 3.05%.

How the Taxes effect the various jurisdictions depends on the functions that the jurisdiction is involved in . Based on using the un-finalized assessment rates for 2015 the City of Vernon will have an increase of 1.71%

District budget takes shape

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Mar 6, 2016 at 1:00 AM
The Regional District of North Okanagan is hammering out its latest financial plan. Directors met Wednesday to review the draft 2016 budget. “There are no significant changes in the document,” said David Sewell, chief administrative officer. The proposed 2016 budget sits at $63.6 million, down from $65.1 million in 2015. Each community is requisitioned taxes based on services it receives from RDNO, and that varies. In fact, the budget impact can change from neighbourhood to neighbourhood depending on what services are in place such as street lights or animal control. There is no change in the parcel tax requisition for jurisdictions funding the septic collection facility, but $75,000 in capital works are planned. They include a UV air decontamination unit, entrance/exit door changes and landscaping. “We don’t feel odours are emanating from the septage facility but if there are minor odours, we want to address them,” said Sewell. There have been complaints about odours but they may be related to composting organic material on a nearby commercial property. Also in the budget, expenses are up for the BX-Swan Lake, Lumby and Silver Star volunteer fire departments but that’s mostly because of new provincial regulations. “There are increases for training. There’s a cost impact,” said Stephen Banmen, general manager of finance. The tax requisition won’t change for regional transit but Armstrong continues to question why it picks up 28.1 per cent of the cost, more than any other partner, including Vernon. “It seems wrong. Seriously, it’s time we had a look at it,” said director Shirley Fowler. A $24.7 million budget is proposed for Greater Vernon Water, including an average two per cent increase in user fees. There was some suggestion Wednesday that the noxious insect service should be reviewed because it only has a $1,742 budget. However, director Juliette Cunningham insists no rash decisions be made because there may be a need to tackle mosquitoes in the future. “If we get a wet year, we could be looking at the Zika virus and other issues. There may be a need to be in a position to respond,” she said. It’s expected the 2016 budget will be considered for adoption March 23.
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REGULAR AGENDA (70 Pages)
1. 2016 Financial Plan
– Consolidated Budget

1.9% Tax Hike in RDNO 2016 Budget

Posted on 3/3/2016 by Ron Manz 107.5 KISSFM
Tax payers in the Regional District North Okanagan will see a 1.9% increase this year. The District's Committee of the Whole endorsed the 2016 financial plan Wednesday night. It includes and overall budget of $63.6 million dollars, with $43.1 million going to operations and $20.5 million to capital projects. Board Chair Rick Fairbairn the hike is about the same as last year. "It's in line. You know we are under pressure to increase service delivery, but it is difficult to do that and keep the inflation rate at the same level." Fairbairn says administration has worked long and hard to get things done. "We're pleased with the overall plan and appreciate all the staff work to keep the budget in line actually with the rate of B.C. inflation which is at 1.9% too, I believe." The budget will be adopted at the RDNO meeting scheduled for March 23rd.
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REGULAR AGENDA (70 Pages)
1. 2016 Financial Plan
– Consolidated Budget

2016 Financial Plan RDNO online.

REGIONAL DISTRICT OF NORTH OKANAGAN
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
1:00 p.m.
REGULAR AGENDA (70 Pages)
1. 2016 Financial Plan
– Consolidated Budget
Presentation to be provided by Stephen Banmen, General Manager, Finance

P.70 Operating Reserve Balances at RDNO

Coldstream reduces agricultural tax burden

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Feb 24, 2016 at 1:00 AM
Coldstream farm operations are getting a break. A majority of council voted Monday to reduce the tax multiplier from 4.5 to one to 2.4 to one for farm class properties. “There is a comparable average among other municipalities and it was a matter of moving towards that over three years,” said Coun. Doug Dirk. However, some council members opposed farm properties paying 2.4 times the residential rate. “Coldstream already has favourable treatment for improvements on farms,” said Coun. Richard Enns, who states the property that will benefit the most is Coldstream Ranch, which also has non-farm uses. “Coldstream Ranch is not just a farm.” Enns added that Coldstream Ranch receives road maintenance and fire services from the municipality and the district is kept busy with ranch-related issues such as gravel pits and the state of Coldstream Creek. “We should not shift the burden on to other taxpayers.” For 2016, a 2.4 multiplier equates to $15,300 shifted from the farm class to other property classes. Based on the average residential property at $491,473, the shift would increase taxes by $3.25 Staff insisted that the farm tax multiplier does not cover the ranch’s industrial activities. “They get assessed based on the use of the property,” said Trevor Seibel, chief administrative officer. In a report, Patricia Higgins, director of financial administration, stated that a rate of 2.4 to one compares to Coldstream’s business class rate. An attempt by Enns to keep the tax multiplier at 4.5 to one was defeated, with the only support coming from Coun. Gyula Kiss. Coldstream Ranch has called for tax changes for a number of years, and in 2015, owner Keith Balcaen made a presentation to council. “The tax is hurting, it’s hurting a lot. It’s almost like you’re being penalized for being in the agricultural sector,” he said then. A concern for Balcaen was farm properties in other communities paying less tax. Coldstream council has given two readings to the proposed 2016 budget bylaw, which includes a 3.5 per cent tax increase. “It will now go to the public and they will be able to give feedback on the financial plan,” said Mayor Jim Garlick.
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Click to enlarge

2015 Sources of tax revenues for Coldstream & Vernon

Proposed tax hike in Coldstream

by Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star posted Feb 17, 2016 at 1:00 AM
Coldstream is investing in the future with a proposed 3.5 per cent tax increase for 2016. Preliminary budget discussions Monday revealed Coldstream is planning on putting some funds into reserves by raising taxes and is also interested in supporting health care. “The increase will go toward the road reserve (pavement management plan) bringing it to an annual level of $1 million a year, the building reserve to ensure that the district’s buildings are adequately maintained, the drainage reserve in order to address more drainage issues throughout Coldstream and operations increases and possible enhancements,” said Mayor Jim Garlick. Proposed capital projects for 2016 include phasing of the Coldstream Creek Road bike path and parks irrigation software. The finance committee (council) also recommended that the district’s share of the surplus from the disbandment of the North Okanagan Hospital District, amounting to $55,000, be given to the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation, which supports health care in the North Okanagan. “Health care was the original intent that this money was taxed for. This contribution is therefore seen as appropriate,” said Garlick. “We are sure the foundation will make good use of these funds.” Part of the budget could also include $20,000 to determine the feasibility of constructing a dike across the mouth of Kalavista lagoon and dredging the lagoon.

When politicians give you cash back, don't complain

January 29, 2016 - 8:30 AM By Charlotte Helston Info-Tel.Ca
It’s not uncommon to hear people grumble about rising taxes, but have you ever heard someone complain about getting a few bucks knocked off their bill? I sure hadn’t until recently. Last week, the City of Vernon sent out a press release saying it was returning $232,734 from a hospital levy back to taxpayers. An offset of funds due to the dissolution of the Columbia Shuswap Regional Hospital District left the city with the surplus. During budget discussions, council voted to give the money back to taxpayers — a return of about $8.57 for the average home. Now, I thought our story ‘City returns cash to Vernon taxpayers’ would earn rave reviews from readers. Who doesn’t like a few extra bucks, even if it is just the price of a new T-shirt? And perhaps some were happy, but others took to social media disappointed with council’s decision. Many argued the money should be given to the hospital — not taxpayers. Readers, I underestimated your generosity. But I would like to point out the alternative. Say the city decided that instead of giving that money back to taxpayers, it was going to donate it to the hospital. If people knew council had the option of giving it back and didn’t, how would that go over? One city councillor tells me taxpayers were the source of the money, which is why they decided to return it to them. I’m not sure the city had much of a choice in the end, but taxpayers do. You could take that $8.57 and donate it to the hospital yourself. Heck, you could probably convince a few friends to do it too. Light a few bulbs for the Vernon Jubilee Hospital campaign. Or convert it to pocket change and keep it handy for plugging those pesky downtown parking meters everyone’s always complaining about. What about using it to hire a young fellow to shovel out the snowy sidewalk by your house, or putting it towards the next borrowing referendum? There’s always something to complain about — and City Hall will never please everyone — but hey, at least this time you have the final say about how how those funds are used. So, how will you spend it?

Cop costs up in Peachland this year

by Alistair Waters - Kelowna Capital News posted Jan 21, 2016 at 3:00 PM
Fourteen people in Peachland will cost the municipality $651,600 this year. That's how much using the RCMP as its police force will cost the municipality in 2016 because the population is now 5,013 according to B.C. Stats, 14 more than the cutoff for having policing costs covered by the province. In B.C., municipalities with populations between 5,000 and 14,999 pay 70 per cent of RCMP contract costs while municipalities with populations larger than 15,000 pay 90 per cent. The remaining 30 per cent and 10 per cent respectively are paid by the federal government. Municipalities with less than 5,000 residents do contribute a small amount to policing when they use the RCMP but the province covers most of the cost. And to make matters worse for Peachland, 2016 marks the first year the full 70 per cent share will have to come out of the annual taxes collected. While Peachland's population has been over 5,000 for the last five years, the policing costs there have been offset by tapping into a reserve fund set prior to 2012 to help pay the bigger bill. "This is the first year that won't happen," said Doug Pryde, finance director for the municipality, adding the offset was set up to only be a five-year program. According to B.C. stats Peachland was only municipality in the Central Okanagan to see a decrease in its population in last year, dropping 1.5 per cent to 5,013 from 5,088 in 2014. Kelowna remains the largest city in Okanagan with a population of 124,378 (up 2.3 per cent from 121,529 in 2014—and the seventh largest city in B.C.— while West Kelowna is now the third largest city in the Valley with a population of 34,484, up 5.3 per cent from the previous year. Vernon with a population in 2015 of 40,497 is second and Penticton dropped to fourth in the Okanagan in 2015 with 33, 964 residents, the result of a with a 0.3 per cent drop. Overall, the greater Kelowna area —the Central Okanagan Regional District—grew 3.2 per cent last year to 189,480, keeping it the third largest metropolitan area in B.C after Greater Vancouver and the area around Victoria.

City Tax Levy Cut By $8.57

https://www.vernon.ca/activities-events/news-events/news-archive/city-returns-hospital-levy-taxpayers
Posted on 1/19/2016 by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM
Vernon residents will save a few bucks on their tax bill this year, thanks to a move made earlier this month by local politicians. Council voted to return $232,734 from the Regional District Hospital levy, back to city taxpayers. "This is possible through a planned reduction in the Regional District Hospital levy by Council, through a planned offset of the funds received from the Regional District for the dissolution of the Columbia Shuswap Regional Hospital District," says a city news release. City staff have now calculated the impact of that. "Assessment data for 2016 is not yet available to determine what that will mean for typical Vernon property owners. However, using 2015 assessment rates and values, the levy would decrease from $92.88 to $84.31—a return of $ 8.57—per for the average home," says the release. The overall tax hike for 2016 is 3.4%, which is 1.9% for infrastructure projects, and 1.5% for operations.
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According to my last years tax handout the average house was valued at $333,245.

Lake Country mayor says flat property fee necessary

January 19, 2016 - 6:00 AM By Adam Proskiw InfoNews.ca
LAKE COUNTRY – Lake Country mayor James Baker says the reason they’ve decided to charge a flat fee rather than increase taxes this year is because there’s no other way. The District announced they would charge each property $125 for 2016 and likely the next 19 years, in order to pay for upgrades to their rural roads. Some property owners have spoken out against the flat fee saying it places an unfair burden on lower income households. Ron Volk has lived in Lake Country his whole life and says the fee allows the local government to gather funds for road upgrades while allowing them to boast about a zero per cent tax increase. “It is an increase in taxes and to some it’s a lot more (of an increase) than others,” he says. “What they should have done is put our taxes up by (whatever amount they need to raise the money).” The reason they didn’t do that, Baker says, is because they can’t. When Lake Country incorporated 20 years ago, a condition of incorporation was that farm taxes would not go above $.52 per $1,000 of assessed value of the land. “Forty-six per cent of our land base is in agricultural land,” Baker says. "It's the only way we could do it." Baker estimates they need roughly $30 million to upgrade their rural roads to district standards. That involves adding sidewalks, storm drains and lighting. “We have a lot of catching up to do,” he says. “Because we inherited rural standard roads when we incorporated… we have to do a lot of upgrades. It will take increased taxes for the next 20 years.” Baker says the flat fee will bring roughly $600,000 in 2016 and they plan to increase property taxes next year to approximately two per cent to raise another $600,000. The rest, he hopes, will come from government grants. The $125 fee, he says, will be applied every year until 2026, but will not increase. “It could actually go down if assessments go up,” he says. Baker acknowledges that a flat fee does mean a proportionately higher burden for some, but says it will be offset by relatively lower property taxes.

Funds returned to ease tax load

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Jan 15, 2016 at 1:00 AM
Vernon taxpayers could get some cash back in their pocket. The city will receive $232,734 from the dissolution of the former North Okanagan Regional Hospital District and council has directed staff to return that to residents by reducing the city’s 2016 tax requisition. “It belongs to the taxpayer. That’s where it came from,” said Coun. Bob Spiers, who lobbied to have the money given back to residents instead of putting it into general revenue. The return of the funds will be detailed in the 2016 tax notices.
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Actual Resolution passed unanimously:
THAT Council directs Administration to apply Vernon’s share ($232,734.64) of proceeds arising through dissolution of the North Okanagan Regional Hospital District to the 2016 tax requisition for the North Okanagan/Columbia Shuswap Regional Hospital District, effectively returning the proceeds ($232,734.64) in their entirety to the current property taxpayer by reducing the 2016 tax requisition payable;
AND FURTHER, that Council direct the Administration to note the return of the proceeds to the property taxpayer on
the 2016 tax notice or supplementary information included with the 2016 tax notice.
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Affordable housing supported
The City of Vernon is handing out a number of grants for affordable housing projects. The Vernon Native Housing Society will receive a rental housing grant of $31,346 to offset development cost charges for its 10-unit project on Alexis Park Drive. There will also be a $15,244 rental housing grant to the Schubert Centre Society to offset DCCs for three rental units on 35th Street. N&T Properties will receive a rental housing grant of $129,000 for a mixed-use complex, including 86 residential units, on 48th Avenue. There is also a $63,000 rental housing grant for Belmonte Apartments and Rickford Apartments for proposed 42 residents units on 27th Avenue.

Vernon Council Formally Approves Budget

Posted on 1/11/2016 KISSFM
Vernon Council has formally approved its 2016 budget. Council unanimously passed it this afternoon. Mayor Akbal Mund says staff did a good job crunching numbers and councillors were effective in going through the package. Infrastructure and road improvements are high priorities that will benefit from the overall 3.4 per cent tax increase this year.

Council also approved Councillor Bob Spier's motion to return the city's portion of the regional hospital account surplus to taxpayers. That's 232 thousand 500 dollars. It won't lower the overall tax hike, but will be reflected on individual tax bills later this year.
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Actual Resolution passed unanimously:
THAT Council directs Administration to apply Vernon’s share ($232,734.64) of proceeds arising through dissolution of the North Okanagan Regional Hospital District to the 2016 tax requisition for the North Okanagan/Columbia Shuswap  Regional Hospital District, effectively returning the proceeds ($232,734.64) in their entirety to the current property taxpayer by reducing the 2016 tax requisition payable;
AND FURTHER, that Council direct the Administration to note the return of the proceeds to the property taxpayer on
the 2016 tax notice or supplementary information included with the 2016 tax notice. (

RCMP ranks waiting for new officers

by Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star posted Jan 6, 2016 at 1:00 AM
Two new officers have been approved for the Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP detachment. Excellent news, indeed, for newly appointed detachment commander, Insp. Jim McNamara. When the bodies will get here, however, remains to be determined. “I can’t give you a timeline when we’ll have the two bodies in place,” said McNamara. “We have more than 50 bodies on-site now. My goal and commitment to the city is to get the new boots on the ground as soon as we can.” The two new officers will make a difference but McNamara vows his detachment will be providing the same top level of service as in the past. A community stakeholders meeting is held every March with RCMP to determine the detachment’s top priorities for the year. There was no change in 2015 with road safety, crime reduction and communications remaining as the top three priorities. “Everything is just as important as the other and sometimes we have to change our focus on the priorities throughout the year, based on what’s happening,” said McNamara, citing 2014’s rash of unsolved arsons as an example. A lot of resources and time went into those investigations. “We had to change our focus from other crime reduction activities,” he said. Downtown Vernon remains a detachment focus for McNamara, who arrived in Vernon in 2010 as the operations officer. In October 2015, McNamara was promoted to inspector, replacing his good friend and colleague Reg Burgess, who retired. While he doesn’t expect to make drastic changes at the detachment, McNamara will be looking at the operations to make sure the detachment is being as effective and efficient as can be. “I like to think of myself as an inclusive leader,” he said when asked about his leadership style. “I work closely with the senior management team on decisions. “I have high expectations of my members in terms of the work they do. I will make sure we are providing service to the community, and I like to think all of our members are doing the best they can to provide that service.” Originally from Edmonton, McNamara got his first taste of RCMP while studying sociology at the University of Alberta. McNamara, who graduated with a bachelor of arts degree, majoring in sociology and minoring in psychology, was an RCMP summer student in 1982 in Evansburg, a town of 1,200 an hour west of Edmonton. “I did general duties, rode around with regular members and it was a great experience,” he said. I”ve always said it’s probably been the best four months of my RCMP career. It certainly influenced me joining the force (which he did in 1985).”

Vernon reins in tax hike

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Dec 6, 2015 at 1:00 AM
Public safety and reducing vandalism have been added to the City of Vernon’s 2015 budget but taxes are lower than first expected. After three days of discussions, Vernon council agreed Friday morning to increase 2016 taxes by 3.4 per cent, down from the earlier projected 3.7 per cent. “It shows good fiscal restraint managing taxpayers’ dollars,” said Mayor Akbal Mund. Some additional expenditures were approved Friday, including $16,800 for Polson Park security. “Private security will patrol the park between midnight and 6 a.m. from May 1 to Sept. 30,” said Shirley Koenig, director of operation services. There will also be $30,000 spent to replace security cameras in the parkade. However, some concerns came from Coun. Dalvir Nahal. “Is it going to be useful if no one is using it (parkade)? Wouldn’t a security guard make more sense?” she said. However, staff and some council members pointed out that costs related to a guard can be expensive and cameras are effective at all hours. “Bylaw staff monitor the cameras and they are constantly on,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham. It was originally proposed that the $30,000 for parkade cameras would come from taxes but an $11,000 grant will go towards that project. As a result, the $11,000 saved in taxes will possibly go towards setting up security cameras downtown. “With the vandalism we’ve had, we need to do something like that,” said Coun. Catherine Lord of almost 100 parking meters being damaged. The budget’s overall 3.4 per cent tax increase consists of 1.5 per cent for operations and 1.9 per cent for infrastructure. “I’m pretty pleased because we maintain services and we’re adding two new police officers. It’s a good balanced budget,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham. Budget bylaws will be before council for consideration Dec. 14.

Capital projects get green light

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Dec 6, 2015 at 1:00 AM
An overhaul of Vernon’s infrastructure is moving ahead next year. On Thursday, council approved the budget for the 2016 capital plan, which includes 28 projects. “The projects contained in the 2016 capital project list continue to strategically replace city assets as guided by the sustainable infrastructure investment plan and the integrated transportation framework,” states a staff report. Among the work is an upgrade to the final section of Pleasant Valley Road, this time from 32nd to 36th avenue. It will include sidewalks, underground services and new pavement. On 30th Street, from Highway 6 to 30th Avenue, the plan is for two vehicle lanes, a multi-use path and sidewalks, while the road surface and underground pipes will be redone on 28th and 29th avenues downtown. “The utilities are past their prime,” said Mark Dowhaniuk, infrastructure engineer. Other initiatives call for crack sealing along roads, inspection of sewer trunk mains to ensure their integrity and reconstruction of the railway crossing at 41st Avenue. Roofs will also be replaced at the downtown fire hall, the Okanagan Landing fire hall and the RCMP detachment. “This will help realize the true life of those buildings,” said Dowhaniuk. The crosswalk on Alexis Park Drive will be upgraded while concrete pads will be installed at transit stops for benches to sit on. Also in 2016, the city will continue with improving access points along Okanagan Lake, with the primary focus being on Beachcomber Bay Road. “We’re looking at some fencing and basic facilities at that site,” said Dowhaniuk. Sewer could be extended to Cameo Drive at a cost of $2.4 million, but there is no guarantee the project will proceed. “Several residents are interested but it’s 100 per cent dependent on a successful local vote. Residents there would pay for the service,” said Dowhaniuk. The 2016 capital budget also calls for $50,000 to be invested in benches, picnic tables and trees throughout the community and $15,000 to improve the trails in Becker Park. “We’re looking at providing a more gentle grade,” said Dowhaniuk of the trails. A replacement playground at Heritage Park in the Bella Vista area could cost $90,000 while $25,000 would be spent on a trail that connects Whitecourt Place, Foothills Place and Copper Mountain Court in the Foothills subdivision. As part of the transition from the regional district to the city operating most parks, $30,000 will be spent on signage in five parks. “This will let you know you’ve entered a city park,” said Dowhaniuk. The 2016 capital plan originally called for sidewalk to be installed on 25th Street from 35th Avenue to Pleasant Valley Road, but council has decided to do all of 25th Street from 30th Avenue to 46th Avenue. The total price tag for the project is $853,000. “We have the money available in the gas tax reserve so it makes sense to extend the size of the project to get more competitive bids and get a bigger bang for our buck,” said Coun. Bob Spiers. “There is also a safety factor for citizens accessing schools, etc. along the route. It makes sense to accelerate and complete the project rather than spread it over three more years.”

Cops and cameras

Kate Bouey - CASTANET Nov 9, 2015 / 10:45 am
Public safety and security are top priorities for Vernon heading into 2016, according to Will Pearce, the city's chief administration officer. Council was presented with the proposed 2016 budget on Monday. Pearce said two service improvement programs next year would focus on public safety. One program would see nighttime police patrols in Polson Park. This follows the August murder of Jason Hardy, who's body was found near the lawn bowling clubhouse on Aug. 26. Three people have been charged with second degree murder. The second would see an increase in surveillance cameras in certain areas, including the parkade and the transit station. Council is being asked to okay early funding for two additional RCMP officers, ahead of 2016 budget approval. Pearce said this would allow for two full-time officers to be hired in January. “It is not inexpensive,” Pearce said, calling it the “biggest single change” in the proposed budget. Pearce told councillors the approximately $330,000 cost could add a full percentage point to the tax rate and suggested paying for the positions through non market funded growth and reserves. In October, North Okanagan RCMP Superintendent Jim McNamara said the detachment has carried on doing 50 jobs with funding for 48 bodies since 2013. “It's just not going to be sustainable anymore with rising police costs,” McNamara said. The proposed 2016 budget calls for a increase in property taxes “not to exceed 1.8 per cent,” said finance manager Kevin Bertles. He said it works out to an increase of $555,470 in the city's operating budget. Bertles said provisions for salary increases of 1.5 per cent for CUPE staff and 2.5 per cent for fire fighters had been built into next year's budget.
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Proposed 2016 - 2020 Financial Plan - PDF -