by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Mar 13, 2015 at 1:00 AM— updated Mar 13, 2015 at 6:03 AM
Fewer tax dollars are being pumped into Regional District of North Okanagan coffers. Directors met Wednesday to review the proposed 2015 budget, which sits at $62.3 million compared to $75.1 million last year. “The total tax requisition for 2015 is $15.6 million, down from $17.6 million in 2014,” said Stephen Banmen, chief financial officer. The proposed operating budget is $40.8 million, down from $41.6 million, while the capital budget has gone from $33.5 to $21.4 million. Much of the decrease is a result of restructuring Greater Vernon’s parks and recreation function but a number of other services will either see a decrease or no increase in their tax requisition. A change in the 911 provider also reduced overall expenses. “It’s a responsible budget,” said Rick Fairbairn, chairperson, adding that the board’s goal has been to control spending. “We didn’t replace a lot of people who retired.” Each community is requisitioned taxes based on services it receives from RDNO, and that varies. Among the functions that will cost more are the BX-Swan Lake, Lumby and Silver Star fire departments. Taxes for each will climb 2.5 per cent. “Training is driving the cost increases,” said Banmen. The Lumby community services function, which is supported by Lumby, rural Lumby and Cherryville residents, will see the requisition jump 260 per cent or $11,484. That is a result of the service mandate expanding to include the local health care society. Coldstream, Vernon and Armstrong’s grant to the Okanagan Film Commission will climb from $24,766 to $33,781, or 36.4 per cent. It’s anticipated RDNO’s 2015 budget will be adopted March 18.
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EDITORIAL: RDNO budget a positive sign
by Editorial - Vernon Morning Star posted Mar 13, 2015 at 1:00 AM
The Regional District of North Okanagan appears to be taking a distinct financial approach. Unlike local municipalities, the regional district is moving ahead with a 2015 budget worth $62.3 million, down from $75.1 million last year. The total tax bill is dropping from $17.6 to $15.6 million. In most cases, budgets for individual functions aren’t rising much more than the cost of living. “It’s a responsible budget,” said chairperson Rick Fairbairn, adding that the goal has been to control spending. “We didn’t replace a lot of people (staff) who retired.” And for those functions that will experience higher spending, the situation is largely out of the hands of RDNO. Provincial rules have mandated expanded training for firefighters and B.C. Hydro fees mean it costs more to operate street lights. But it should be pointed out that while RDNO’s tax burden has eased, those taxes haven’t disappeared. Part of the reason the district’s budget is reduced from previous years is because of restructuring Greater Vernon’s parks and recreation service. Many of those activities are now directly provided by Coldstream and Vernon, which means those jurisdictions are now taxing their constituents for the service, not RDNO. And for what’s left of Greater Vernon’s recreation function, there is a $790,000 overrun for the sports track under construction. That money is coming from a mix of reserves and taxation, as well as, hopefully, grants and sponsors. While some of the budget’s fine details may still raise questions, it is certainly worth acknowledging the reduced spending and taxation. Hopefully, that is a trend regional district politicians and administrators can continue in the years to come.
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2015 RDNO Budget Workshop See the Individual Function Requisitions here.
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