White Valley fees could rise

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: November 18, 2012 1:00 AM
Taxes could be climbing for Lumby and Cherryville residents. The provisional 2013 budget calls for a 3.9 per cent increase in the tax requisition for the White Valley Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee. “We’re putting in the spray park and there will be more work there, and there are increased costs for insurance and wages,” said director Eugene Foisy. A 3.9 per cent increase would generate an additional $29,216 in revenue. The average cost increase per household would be $13. The tax requisition rose four per cent in 2011 and five per cent in 2012. The 2013 budget process will continue and Foisy would like to see the projected hike reduced. “There are some things we may not have to budget for so this is just the first kick at it,” he said. The budget calls for $101,405 to be put into reserves to handle the replacement of assets. “We were down to very little so we need to get it to the point where it makes sense,” said Foisy. At the end of 2011, there was $625,654 in reserves while assets are valued at $4.1 million. The proposed budget also includes consulting fees so an engineer can look at the Cherryville ice rink and determine the cost for putting in brine lines. “The Cherryville Community Club is interested in pouring concrete to have the rink available for other activities in the warmer seasons, as well as making the ice preparation easier,” said Tannis Nelson, community development co-ordinator, in a report