Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 Beach Radio Vernon Tom Mark March 29, 2018 05:57 am
The city of Armstrong has turned down a request from Vernon to share in the cost for support staff for Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP. Mayor Chris Pieper says Armstrong is already paying more for policing this year because population growth. “Plus administration costs, plus building cost. So those particular costs will probably increase our taxes to the community by two or three times. We haven’t finalized that out.”He says what Vernon is asking for is service that is not in the contract Armstrong signed with the province. “Respectfully to the city of Vernon and the communities, those are costs that are there, that are used by the city of Vernon, used by Coldstream, used by the regional district and everything else. However the increased costs we are incurring this year are very high.” Pieper says the city has to take into account the affordability of residents when it comes to their taxes. “Our stand right now is that we can’t afford it. We’re going to have to pay extra policing costs next year as we increase to four police officers.” That extra officer alone works out to an increase of over 100 thousand dollars.
Showing posts with label 2018 budget vernon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2018 budget vernon. Show all posts
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
PST Phase out for Electricity (non residential customers)
PST Phase out for Electricity
Effective January 1, 2018, taxable purchases of electricity (e.g. electricity for business use)
are subject to a lower PST rate of 3.5%. Electricity will be fully exempt from PST effective April 1, 2019.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/taxes/sales-taxes/publications/pst-203-energy-conservation-ice-fund-tax.pdf (p.5)
===============
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2017fin0035-001987 *excerpts below)
Eliminating the PST on electricity will translate into savings of more than $150 million annually for B.C. businesses. This will help them create more jobs for British Columbians, expand into new markets, and reinvest in new technologies.
Estimated annual PST paid for electricity use, by industrial sector is as follows:
Manufacturing, including pulp and paper: $46 million
Other services (repair and maintenance, personal care services, etc.): $27 million
Wholesale and retail trade: $21 million
Primary industry (forestry, mining, etc.): $21 million
Accommodation and food services: $11 million
Transportation and warehousing: $11 million
Arts, entertainment and recreation: $5 million
Construction: $2 million
Other industry sectors: $17 million
--------
Email reply from Minister of Finance's office:
Thank you for your inquiry.
Prior to January 1, 2018, the only general exemption from PST on electricity was if it was delivered to a residential dwelling. As of January 1, 2018, the rate of PST on electricity is reduced from 7% to 3.5% for all other customers who are non-residential customers. This includes municipalities.
=============
Don Quixote Note:
For City of Vernon the estimated savings for 2018 is $81,000. ($33,000 for sewer ratepayers , $19,000 for Recreational electricity, and $29,000 for street lights , civic buildings etc. )
Effective January 1, 2018, taxable purchases of electricity (e.g. electricity for business use)
are subject to a lower PST rate of 3.5%. Electricity will be fully exempt from PST effective April 1, 2019.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/taxes/sales-taxes/publications/pst-203-energy-conservation-ice-fund-tax.pdf (p.5)
===============
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2017fin0035-001987 *excerpts below)
Eliminating the PST on electricity will translate into savings of more than $150 million annually for B.C. businesses. This will help them create more jobs for British Columbians, expand into new markets, and reinvest in new technologies.
Estimated annual PST paid for electricity use, by industrial sector is as follows:
Manufacturing, including pulp and paper: $46 million
Other services (repair and maintenance, personal care services, etc.): $27 million
Wholesale and retail trade: $21 million
Primary industry (forestry, mining, etc.): $21 million
Accommodation and food services: $11 million
Transportation and warehousing: $11 million
Arts, entertainment and recreation: $5 million
Construction: $2 million
Other industry sectors: $17 million
--------
Email reply from Minister of Finance's office:
Thank you for your inquiry.
Prior to January 1, 2018, the only general exemption from PST on electricity was if it was delivered to a residential dwelling. As of January 1, 2018, the rate of PST on electricity is reduced from 7% to 3.5% for all other customers who are non-residential customers. This includes municipalities.
=============
Don Quixote Note:
For City of Vernon the estimated savings for 2018 is $81,000. ($33,000 for sewer ratepayers , $19,000 for Recreational electricity, and $29,000 for street lights , civic buildings etc. )
Tuesday, January 09, 2018
Vernon In The Red For Snow Control
Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 Beach Radio Vernon Tom Mark January 09, 2018 11:10 am
It’s been a snowy winter and the City of Vernon is paying the price. The city’s snow and ice control budget for 2017 went into the red. Public Works Manager James Rice says the budget for last year was 670 thousand dollars. “As of today, just checking the numbers and we do still have a few costs rolling in, though they’ll be minor, we’re currently sitting just over 700 thousand dollars, so about a 35 thousand dollar overage for 2017.” Although we got a big dump of snow early in November, much of the reason for going in the red goes back to the start of the year. “January and February of last year were very busy. We did go over on our snow removal amount of that budget by about 30 thousand dollars.” The cost will be covered through a reserve fund that has been built up over the years and it can be used for 2018 as well. “Obviously it’s very early for 2018 and typically January and February tend to be our busiest months for snow and ice. So, usually around April – May we do a quick check of the budget and we have a pretty good idea how we’re going to sit for the rest of the year.” People living in Vernon’s residential areas waiting for the city to do snow removal won’t see that happening. Public Works Manager James Rice says there’s no money in the budget for that. “It’s a very expensive process. Plowing snowto the sides is one thing, but when you have to remove snow, it’s a totally different function.” The city concentrates its snow removal program in the downtown core and the highway. Already in 2018 we’ve tackled 48th Avenue, the downtown core, 27th street. We are closely monitoring the highway right now. Even though we don’t plow the highway through town, we are responsible for snow removal down that section.” Rice says the warmer weather this week is helping to melt some of that snow. A system may be moving in that could bring snow Thursday and any snow removal along the highway likely wouldn’t happen until Friday or Saturday
It’s been a snowy winter and the City of Vernon is paying the price. The city’s snow and ice control budget for 2017 went into the red. Public Works Manager James Rice says the budget for last year was 670 thousand dollars. “As of today, just checking the numbers and we do still have a few costs rolling in, though they’ll be minor, we’re currently sitting just over 700 thousand dollars, so about a 35 thousand dollar overage for 2017.” Although we got a big dump of snow early in November, much of the reason for going in the red goes back to the start of the year. “January and February of last year were very busy. We did go over on our snow removal amount of that budget by about 30 thousand dollars.” The cost will be covered through a reserve fund that has been built up over the years and it can be used for 2018 as well. “Obviously it’s very early for 2018 and typically January and February tend to be our busiest months for snow and ice. So, usually around April – May we do a quick check of the budget and we have a pretty good idea how we’re going to sit for the rest of the year.” People living in Vernon’s residential areas waiting for the city to do snow removal won’t see that happening. Public Works Manager James Rice says there’s no money in the budget for that. “It’s a very expensive process. Plowing snowto the sides is one thing, but when you have to remove snow, it’s a totally different function.” The city concentrates its snow removal program in the downtown core and the highway. Already in 2018 we’ve tackled 48th Avenue, the downtown core, 27th street. We are closely monitoring the highway right now. Even though we don’t plow the highway through town, we are responsible for snow removal down that section.” Rice says the warmer weather this week is helping to melt some of that snow. A system may be moving in that could bring snow Thursday and any snow removal along the highway likely wouldn’t happen until Friday or Saturday
Saturday, December 30, 2017
MSP cut kicks off the new year right for British Columbians
Kris Sims, British Columbia Director, Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CASTANET)
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has released its annual report crunching the numbers on new year’s tax changes for Canadians. Many Canadians will only see minor changes to their tax bill, but thanks to the Medical Services Premium (MSP) cut, British Columbians will be some of the largest beneficiaries come Jan. 1. The MSP is being sliced in half as of Jan. 1, 2018. This move saves an average two adult home $900 per year in mandatory healthcare taxes. The government has promised to eliminate the MSP completely within their four-year mandate. The CTF has long argued that this unfair, inefficient fee needed to be axed, and will maintain the pressure on government to get rid of it altogether, saving an additional $900 per year per average household.“The CTF campaigned hard for a cut to MSP, so we’re very pleased this unfair tax will be halved on Jan. 1,” said the CTF’s B.C. Director, Kris Sims. “With housing and fuel continuing to be less and less affordable in B.C., this significant tax relief is most welcome.”
There is some bad news coming later in the year, however, which will eat into the MSP tax savings. B.C.’s carbon tax will jump to $35 per ton in April, making it the highest carbon tax in Canada. That means the carbon tax price at the pumps will go up to about 8.5 cents per litre of gasoline and more than 10 cents for diesel. That means it will cost you more than $5 extra in carbon tax every time you fill up your car and nearly $10 tacked on if you drive an SUV. The carbon tax is also applied to natural gas and home heating oil. Starting this year, the B.C. carbon tax will no longer be labelled as “revenue neutral” and the money will pour into government coffers without earmarks or tracking as to where it’s spent. With more than 5.7 billion litres of gasoline sold in B.C. last year, that means the provincial government will rake in an average of $490 million in gasoline carbon tax, and when the diesel carbon tax is included, that jumps to more than $600 million in tax revenue taken from motorists in one year.“The carbon tax is going to cost us even more and now we have no idea where it’s going,” continued Sims. “If you have two vehicles in your family this means the carbon tax now costs you about $360 per year just to drive your kids to school and get yourself to work and the grocery store. This doesn’t include the costs of all those goods that need to be trucked in. We will pay for that too.”
Federally, Employment Insurance (EI) premiums will rise slightly, costing employees and employers an additional $9 and $13 per year, respectively. The indexation of the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) will also come into force on July 1, 2018, leading to a slight decrease in payments to eligible families on January 1st. “There are no dramatic income tax changes on the federal side,” said CTF Federal Director Aaron Wudrick. “Canadians can for the most part breathe easy, but they shouldn’t expect to have much more money in their pockets.”
Wudrick noted that while 2018 did not hold many large tax changes, Canadians can expect further changes in 2019. “The Trudeau government has delayed imposing its national carbon tax until 2019, and Canada Pension Plan premiums will begin to rise annually as well,” said Wudrick. “There is still considerable uncertainty on the business tax front, both with respect to the Trudeau government’s controversial small business tax proposals, and due to recent dramatic tax cuts south of the border which will impact Canada’s competitiveness.”
CTF calculations for the tax changes that will be occurring on Jan. 1 for 44 different income and family scenarios can be found here.
Carbon Tax The federal government says it will implement a federal carbon tax in any province that does not have carbon pricing — that meets their standard — by the end of 2018. If provinces don’t have a qualifying system in place, the federal government says it will impose a $10/tonne carbon tax in that province. However, in some provinces the governments are imposing even higher carbon taxes.
• British Columbia: April 1st, 2018 the carbon tax rate will increase to $35/tonne from $30/tonne.
• Alberta: January 1 st, 2018 the carbon tax will increase to $30/tonne from $20/tonne.
• Saskatchewan: No plans for a carbon tax.
• Manitoba: Plans to introduce a $25/tonne tax sometime in 2018.
• Ontario: Has a cap-and-trade system and on January 1st, 2018 it joins the Quebec-California carbon market.
• Quebec: Has a cap-and-trade system. • New Brunswick: Plans to shift 2.33 cents per litre of the provincial gas tax to be a carbon tax in 2018. With the funds directed to programs to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
• Nova Scotia: Plans to implement a cap-and-trade system on large emitters in 2018.
• Price Edward island: Plan expected in early 2018.
• Newfoundland and Labrador: Plan expected in the spring of 2018.
---------
Don Quixote Note: The carbon tax in B.C. is also subject to the 5% GST. This will add to the cost of filling up t he car or home heating (Natural gas). Also Gst will be applied to the carbon tax for cremations.
---------------
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has released its annual report crunching the numbers on new year’s tax changes for Canadians. Many Canadians will only see minor changes to their tax bill, but thanks to the Medical Services Premium (MSP) cut, British Columbians will be some of the largest beneficiaries come Jan. 1. The MSP is being sliced in half as of Jan. 1, 2018. This move saves an average two adult home $900 per year in mandatory healthcare taxes. The government has promised to eliminate the MSP completely within their four-year mandate. The CTF has long argued that this unfair, inefficient fee needed to be axed, and will maintain the pressure on government to get rid of it altogether, saving an additional $900 per year per average household.“The CTF campaigned hard for a cut to MSP, so we’re very pleased this unfair tax will be halved on Jan. 1,” said the CTF’s B.C. Director, Kris Sims. “With housing and fuel continuing to be less and less affordable in B.C., this significant tax relief is most welcome.”
There is some bad news coming later in the year, however, which will eat into the MSP tax savings. B.C.’s carbon tax will jump to $35 per ton in April, making it the highest carbon tax in Canada. That means the carbon tax price at the pumps will go up to about 8.5 cents per litre of gasoline and more than 10 cents for diesel. That means it will cost you more than $5 extra in carbon tax every time you fill up your car and nearly $10 tacked on if you drive an SUV. The carbon tax is also applied to natural gas and home heating oil. Starting this year, the B.C. carbon tax will no longer be labelled as “revenue neutral” and the money will pour into government coffers without earmarks or tracking as to where it’s spent. With more than 5.7 billion litres of gasoline sold in B.C. last year, that means the provincial government will rake in an average of $490 million in gasoline carbon tax, and when the diesel carbon tax is included, that jumps to more than $600 million in tax revenue taken from motorists in one year.“The carbon tax is going to cost us even more and now we have no idea where it’s going,” continued Sims. “If you have two vehicles in your family this means the carbon tax now costs you about $360 per year just to drive your kids to school and get yourself to work and the grocery store. This doesn’t include the costs of all those goods that need to be trucked in. We will pay for that too.”
Federally, Employment Insurance (EI) premiums will rise slightly, costing employees and employers an additional $9 and $13 per year, respectively. The indexation of the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) will also come into force on July 1, 2018, leading to a slight decrease in payments to eligible families on January 1st. “There are no dramatic income tax changes on the federal side,” said CTF Federal Director Aaron Wudrick. “Canadians can for the most part breathe easy, but they shouldn’t expect to have much more money in their pockets.”
Wudrick noted that while 2018 did not hold many large tax changes, Canadians can expect further changes in 2019. “The Trudeau government has delayed imposing its national carbon tax until 2019, and Canada Pension Plan premiums will begin to rise annually as well,” said Wudrick. “There is still considerable uncertainty on the business tax front, both with respect to the Trudeau government’s controversial small business tax proposals, and due to recent dramatic tax cuts south of the border which will impact Canada’s competitiveness.”
CTF calculations for the tax changes that will be occurring on Jan. 1 for 44 different income and family scenarios can be found here.
Carbon Tax The federal government says it will implement a federal carbon tax in any province that does not have carbon pricing — that meets their standard — by the end of 2018. If provinces don’t have a qualifying system in place, the federal government says it will impose a $10/tonne carbon tax in that province. However, in some provinces the governments are imposing even higher carbon taxes.
• British Columbia: April 1st, 2018 the carbon tax rate will increase to $35/tonne from $30/tonne.
• Alberta: January 1 st, 2018 the carbon tax will increase to $30/tonne from $20/tonne.
• Saskatchewan: No plans for a carbon tax.
• Manitoba: Plans to introduce a $25/tonne tax sometime in 2018.
• Ontario: Has a cap-and-trade system and on January 1st, 2018 it joins the Quebec-California carbon market.
• Quebec: Has a cap-and-trade system. • New Brunswick: Plans to shift 2.33 cents per litre of the provincial gas tax to be a carbon tax in 2018. With the funds directed to programs to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
• Nova Scotia: Plans to implement a cap-and-trade system on large emitters in 2018.
• Price Edward island: Plan expected in early 2018.
• Newfoundland and Labrador: Plan expected in the spring of 2018.
---------
Don Quixote Note: The carbon tax in B.C. is also subject to the 5% GST. This will add to the cost of filling up t he car or home heating (Natural gas). Also Gst will be applied to the carbon tax for cremations.
---------------
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Another try for mall bus
By Kate Bouey - CASTANET Nov 27, 2017 / 7:40 pm
Efforts will be made to get a bus stop back onsite at the Village Green mall at the north end of Vernon. City council on Monday approved a major expansion of the BC Transit service, including the addition of 7,000 annual service hours and a new north-south route that would run through town every 15 minutes during peak periods. There will also be more HandyDart service. The changes are expected to take effect in April 2018 at a cost of $314,277 for the first nine months. The money will be taken from reserves. Council has also asked city and transit staff to approach the owner of the mall, Bentall Kennedy, to see if the issue of an onsite bus stop can be resolved. “It's just not conducive to people using it that have mobility challenges or those with all their kids,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham, who made the motion. “Last winter, I saw a woman get stuck in her wheelchair in the snow. It's just crazy.” Cunningham is hopeful new negotiations will work, although they failed a year ago, or a bus stop will have to be chosen along 48th Avenue which is the current situation. Council also heard from Okanagan Landing resident James Kanester who requested a return to 35 minute service in his area of Heritage Drive and Allenby Way, near Bella Vista Road. Council liked his argument to reroute the number 8 bus, which travels Bella Vista, to pick up passengers at an Allenby Way stop. They voted in favour of that action. Council has also asked BC Transit to take a look at routes 7 and 8 to see if 35 minute service can be provided to the area. Meanwhile, council's financial watchdog Bob Spiers questioned the big increase in costs to bussing. He said the annual transit bill, including the HandyDart, will increase 30 per cent to $1.365 million. “I know we've found a way of using the reserves, which should be done but I don't see an increase in revenue as we were promised,” Spiers said. He pointed out that taxpayers would be footing the whole bill once reserves run out in a few years time.
----------------
https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/financial/annual_reports/2018-2022_proposed_financial_plan_0.pdf
Efforts will be made to get a bus stop back onsite at the Village Green mall at the north end of Vernon. City council on Monday approved a major expansion of the BC Transit service, including the addition of 7,000 annual service hours and a new north-south route that would run through town every 15 minutes during peak periods. There will also be more HandyDart service. The changes are expected to take effect in April 2018 at a cost of $314,277 for the first nine months. The money will be taken from reserves. Council has also asked city and transit staff to approach the owner of the mall, Bentall Kennedy, to see if the issue of an onsite bus stop can be resolved. “It's just not conducive to people using it that have mobility challenges or those with all their kids,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham, who made the motion. “Last winter, I saw a woman get stuck in her wheelchair in the snow. It's just crazy.” Cunningham is hopeful new negotiations will work, although they failed a year ago, or a bus stop will have to be chosen along 48th Avenue which is the current situation. Council also heard from Okanagan Landing resident James Kanester who requested a return to 35 minute service in his area of Heritage Drive and Allenby Way, near Bella Vista Road. Council liked his argument to reroute the number 8 bus, which travels Bella Vista, to pick up passengers at an Allenby Way stop. They voted in favour of that action. Council has also asked BC Transit to take a look at routes 7 and 8 to see if 35 minute service can be provided to the area. Meanwhile, council's financial watchdog Bob Spiers questioned the big increase in costs to bussing. He said the annual transit bill, including the HandyDart, will increase 30 per cent to $1.365 million. “I know we've found a way of using the reserves, which should be done but I don't see an increase in revenue as we were promised,” Spiers said. He pointed out that taxpayers would be footing the whole bill once reserves run out in a few years time.
----------------
https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/financial/annual_reports/2018-2022_proposed_financial_plan_0.pdf
 |
| P 111 of 2018 budget |
 |
| P450 note transit increase of $419,036 Annually |
 |
| P 109 of 2018 budget ========================================== |
Friday, November 24, 2017
Open House On Vernon Capital Projects
Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 KISS FM Tom Mark November 24, 2017 07:25 am
The City of Vernon is holding an Open House next Tuesday evening to fill residents in on its Capital Projects plan.They include the next phase of the 30th Street improvements and the city’s cycling network.Since adopting the Official Community Plan in 2008, the City of Vernon has been constructing walking and cycling infrastructure.Projects constructed in 2017 include Phase 1 of the Kalamalka Lake Road multi-use path and the continuation of improvements on 30th Street.The city says both routes promise to become significant regional and commuter connections as they form a link between the Village Green Centre and the Okanagan Rail Trail through downtown.With the 2017 phases of these two projects complete, Vernon’s cycling network has grown to over 85kms of multi-use paths, trails, and on-road bike lanes.Mayor Akbal Mund says Vernon is on the cusp of a big change as major connections are planned for the cycling network in the next two years.The Open House is at the Vernon Rec Centre Tuesday, November 28th from 5 to 7 pm.Residents and businesses will have the opportunity to the review the capital projects scheduled for 2018 and discuss the designs and impacts with the project teams.
Interested residents and business owners that are not able to attend the meeting and who would like more information regarding a project may contact the Infrastructure Management Department at 250-550-3634 or visit www.vernon.ca/capitalworks.
-----------
2018-2022 Proposed Financial Plan ONLINE
Capital Plan Overview ...... 480 Page #
Infrastructure Report Cards..... 481
Capital Project List Summary .. 484
Capital Project Funding ...... 486
Capital Projects.......... 487
=============
THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF VERNON A G E N D A SPECIAL REGULAR OPEN MEETING OF COUNCIL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2017 at 9:00 AM
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 at 9:00 AM,
2018 – 2022 FINANCIAL PLAN A. Overview of the Financial Plan
PUBLIC INPUT (11:30 am) C. Opportunity provided to the public to speak to the budget Nov 29
PUBLIC INPUT (2:30 pm) G. Opportunity provided to the public to speak to the budget
PUBLIC INPUT (11:30 am) K. Opportunity provided to the public to speak to the budget Nov 30
The City of Vernon is holding an Open House next Tuesday evening to fill residents in on its Capital Projects plan.They include the next phase of the 30th Street improvements and the city’s cycling network.Since adopting the Official Community Plan in 2008, the City of Vernon has been constructing walking and cycling infrastructure.Projects constructed in 2017 include Phase 1 of the Kalamalka Lake Road multi-use path and the continuation of improvements on 30th Street.The city says both routes promise to become significant regional and commuter connections as they form a link between the Village Green Centre and the Okanagan Rail Trail through downtown.With the 2017 phases of these two projects complete, Vernon’s cycling network has grown to over 85kms of multi-use paths, trails, and on-road bike lanes.Mayor Akbal Mund says Vernon is on the cusp of a big change as major connections are planned for the cycling network in the next two years.The Open House is at the Vernon Rec Centre Tuesday, November 28th from 5 to 7 pm.Residents and businesses will have the opportunity to the review the capital projects scheduled for 2018 and discuss the designs and impacts with the project teams.
Interested residents and business owners that are not able to attend the meeting and who would like more information regarding a project may contact the Infrastructure Management Department at 250-550-3634 or visit www.vernon.ca/capitalworks.
-----------
2018-2022 Proposed Financial Plan ONLINE
Infrastructure Report Cards..... 481
Capital Project List Summary .. 484
Capital Project Funding ...... 486
Capital Projects.......... 487
=============
THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF VERNON A G E N D A SPECIAL REGULAR OPEN MEETING OF COUNCIL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2017 at 9:00 AM
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 at 9:00 AM,
2018 – 2022 FINANCIAL PLAN A. Overview of the Financial Plan
PUBLIC INPUT (11:30 am) C. Opportunity provided to the public to speak to the budget Nov 29
PUBLIC INPUT (2:30 pm) G. Opportunity provided to the public to speak to the budget
PUBLIC INPUT (11:30 am) K. Opportunity provided to the public to speak to the budget Nov 30
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Friday, November 10, 2017
Six More Officers Sought For Vernon RCMP
Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 KISS FM Pete McIntyre November 10, 2017 02:00 pm
RCMP are calling on the city to add six more police officers for Vernon next year. The request will be made to council by Superintendent Jim McNamara at Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting. It would increase the detachment from 50 to 56 funded officers. McNamara says staffing shortages, changes in crime trends and types, and increases in population have contributed to pressures on the detachment to provide service. “The reduction of funded officer positions since 2010 and the increasing workloads over the same period have had a compounding effect on capacity and a corresponding impact on levels of service,” the superintendent writes in a report to council. The local RCMP boss says four of the extra officers would be used for general duty watches and two officers would be deployed to the general investigation section (plainclothes) — one corporal to sex crimes and one constable to the prolific offender unit. Mayor Akbal Mund says the request will be discussed by council. You have to look at the big picture here, and say is there is an issue with workload and case load, and is ii affecting the duties of members, so it’s something we will take a hard look at.” McNamara says the cost for the six officers would be over one million dollars. “The cost for each of the six funded officers is: $173,759, plus an additional $8,243 for the Corporal position. Total $1,050,797.”
===============
https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/meetings/agendas/171114_cow_0.pdf P.8-25
RCMP are calling on the city to add six more police officers for Vernon next year. The request will be made to council by Superintendent Jim McNamara at Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting. It would increase the detachment from 50 to 56 funded officers. McNamara says staffing shortages, changes in crime trends and types, and increases in population have contributed to pressures on the detachment to provide service. “The reduction of funded officer positions since 2010 and the increasing workloads over the same period have had a compounding effect on capacity and a corresponding impact on levels of service,” the superintendent writes in a report to council. The local RCMP boss says four of the extra officers would be used for general duty watches and two officers would be deployed to the general investigation section (plainclothes) — one corporal to sex crimes and one constable to the prolific offender unit. Mayor Akbal Mund says the request will be discussed by council. You have to look at the big picture here, and say is there is an issue with workload and case load, and is ii affecting the duties of members, so it’s something we will take a hard look at.” McNamara says the cost for the six officers would be over one million dollars. “The cost for each of the six funded officers is: $173,759, plus an additional $8,243 for the Corporal position. Total $1,050,797.”
===============
https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/meetings/agendas/171114_cow_0.pdf P.8-25
Thursday, November 09, 2017
NDP matches B.C. Liberal tax cut promise
TOM FLETCHERNov. 9, 2017 8:30 a.m.BUSINESS Morning Star
B.C.’s small business income tax rate has been reduced from 2.5 per cent to two, and the change is being made retroactive to April 1, 2017.
Both the NDP and the B.C. Liberals promised the tax would be reduced that amount, with the B.C. Liberals promising to make it retroactive. In last spring’s election campaign, the NDP promised only to cut the tax by half a point, and to raise the large corporate income tax from 11 to 12 per cent at the start of the new fiscal year, April 1, 2018.
The NDP government is also carrying out the B.C. Liberal promise to remove provincial sales tax from business electricity bills. Half of that tax came off this fall and Finance Minister Carole James said the rest is to be removed in April 2019. PST is not charged on residential B.C. Hydro bills.
In her budget update in September, James announced the return of a high-income personal income tax bracket. Effective April 1, 2018, personal income tax goes up two per cent on income over $150,000 a year, restoring an increase put in place by the B.C. Liberals before the 2013 election and removed two years later.
--------------
Don Quixote Note:
When I inquired from the Minister of Finance office about the effective date of te reduction of PST the answer I got is that they will be announcing the effective date with a 1 month notice. The fall implementation date mentioned in the story above appars to be in error.
B.C.’s small business income tax rate has been reduced from 2.5 per cent to two, and the change is being made retroactive to April 1, 2017.
Both the NDP and the B.C. Liberals promised the tax would be reduced that amount, with the B.C. Liberals promising to make it retroactive. In last spring’s election campaign, the NDP promised only to cut the tax by half a point, and to raise the large corporate income tax from 11 to 12 per cent at the start of the new fiscal year, April 1, 2018.
The NDP government is also carrying out the B.C. Liberal promise to remove provincial sales tax from business electricity bills. Half of that tax came off this fall and Finance Minister Carole James said the rest is to be removed in April 2019. PST is not charged on residential B.C. Hydro bills.
In her budget update in September, James announced the return of a high-income personal income tax bracket. Effective April 1, 2018, personal income tax goes up two per cent on income over $150,000 a year, restoring an increase put in place by the B.C. Liberals before the 2013 election and removed two years later.
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Don Quixote Note:
When I inquired from the Minister of Finance office about the effective date of te reduction of PST the answer I got is that they will be announcing the effective date with a 1 month notice. The fall implementation date mentioned in the story above appars to be in error.
The Budget 2017 Update announced that the PST rate on electricity will be reduced to 3.5 per cent from the current 7 per cent at a date to be specified by regulation, and then eliminated completely on April 1, 2019. Government intends to provide at least one month of notice before the 3.5 per cent rate takes effect.
Wednesday, November 08, 2017
Province to freeze BC Hydro rates
ASHLEY WADHWANINov. 8, 2017 1:00 p.m.NEWS Vernon Morning Star
The BC Government says it will immediately freeze rates at BC Hydro and cancel a proposed 3 per cent hike originally planned for next year. The province will be pursuing a comprehensive review of BC Hydro, and “any cost and revenue adjustments identified will be reflected in rates starting in April 2019,” according to a statement Wednesday. The province said rates have increased 24 per cent over the last four years. The rate freeze follows a budget commitment made in September to phase out the provincial sales tax on electricity. Last week, Premier John Horgan said his government will be meeting with BC Hydro officials in the new year to discuss a number of issues including deferred debt, the steady increase in electricity pricing and also the much maligned two-tier billing process.
The BC Government says it will immediately freeze rates at BC Hydro and cancel a proposed 3 per cent hike originally planned for next year. The province will be pursuing a comprehensive review of BC Hydro, and “any cost and revenue adjustments identified will be reflected in rates starting in April 2019,” according to a statement Wednesday. The province said rates have increased 24 per cent over the last four years. The rate freeze follows a budget commitment made in September to phase out the provincial sales tax on electricity. Last week, Premier John Horgan said his government will be meeting with BC Hydro officials in the new year to discuss a number of issues including deferred debt, the steady increase in electricity pricing and also the much maligned two-tier billing process.
Monday, November 06, 2017
City rethinks bus changes
by Kate Bouey - CASTANET Nov 6, 2017 / 5:00 am
The City of Vernon will likely not be moving forward with all of its planned changes to bus routes next year, following public consultations. A city spokesperson said members of the public “were concerned about the proposed changes to routes 7 and 8.” Those routes cover Okanagan Landing and Bella Vista. Staff are expected to recommend to city council this month that the changes be delayed until at least 2019 due to the public's concerns, according to Ellen Morrison, a transportation engineer-in-training with the city. “As a result, BC Transit and the City of Vernon are recommending not to pursue changes to routes 7 and 8 in this round of service changes,” Morrison said in an email. “While BC Transit and the City of Vernon do acknowledge that there are opportunities to improve both of these routes, the public's concerns could be more thoroughly addressed as part of future transit expansions planned in the next two fiscal years.” However, Morrison said there was strong support for a new north-south route between the Village Green Mall and the downtown. Morrison said recommendations would be presented ito council at its Nov. 27th meeting. Meanwhile, a BC Transit official said the company was still working with the City of Vernon to improve transit service in the area with significant expansion hours starting March, 2018. "A service change plan summarizing all the final details will be made available to the public by the end of November," said the official.
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Hotel Tax Rising
Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 KISS FM Pete McIntyre October 11, 2017 12:19 pm
Vernon’s hotel tax will be going up next year. The current 2 percent tax charged to hotel and motel guests will jump to 3 percent on January 1 after the city got provincial approval for the change. It’s expected to bring in an extra 300-thousand dollars a year for tourism marketing and programs. The City of Vernon will receive 2.8% of the 3%, officially called the municipal regional district tax (MRDT), with the rest going to the provincial Tourism Events Program. “There are over fifty community in BC collecting the MRDT including fourteen that moved to a 3%. Kelowna and Kamloops began collecting a 3% MRDT on July 1, 2017,” says Vernon’s economic development and tourism manager Kevin Poole. Poole says date from BC Stats indicates Vernon has had the fastest growing MRDT in the Thompson Okanagan each and every year since its first full year of collecting in 2011. “This strong growth has continued into 2017, with room revenue up 8.3% as of the end of July 2017.”
Friday, September 22, 2017
Vernon on hook for RCMP back pay
JENNIFER SMITH Morning Star Thu Sep 21st, 2017 5:00pm
A back pay windfall is on its way for Vernon police officers. The city estimates the pay increase to be approximately $332,090, but it has been planning for the funds. The earnings, retroactive to 2014, are from the last federally approved pay raise for RCMP officers across the country. The federal treasury board finally approved a 1.25-per-cent increase as of Jan. 1, 2015 and another 1.25-per-cent hike as of Jan. 1, 2016 in April of this year.“The city anticipated RCMP pay raises in its budgets so that sufficient funds were set aside until the monies were paid,” said Debra Law, Vernon’s director of financial services. “As such, the retroactive payment will not cause a tax increase in 2017.” Vernon previously funded 48 full time members and as of 2017 there are 50. Meanwhile Kelowna is on the hook for a much higher windfall for police – $1.1 million.
A back pay windfall is on its way for Vernon police officers. The city estimates the pay increase to be approximately $332,090, but it has been planning for the funds. The earnings, retroactive to 2014, are from the last federally approved pay raise for RCMP officers across the country. The federal treasury board finally approved a 1.25-per-cent increase as of Jan. 1, 2015 and another 1.25-per-cent hike as of Jan. 1, 2016 in April of this year.“The city anticipated RCMP pay raises in its budgets so that sufficient funds were set aside until the monies were paid,” said Debra Law, Vernon’s director of financial services. “As such, the retroactive payment will not cause a tax increase in 2017.” Vernon previously funded 48 full time members and as of 2017 there are 50. Meanwhile Kelowna is on the hook for a much higher windfall for police – $1.1 million.
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Kelowna owes $1.1 million in back pay to RCMP officers
ALISTAIR WATERS Morning Star Mon Sep 18th, 2017 10:10am NEWS
Mounties in Kelowna are about to share a $1.1-million windfall. The city owes that sum in back pay, retroactive to 2014, after the federal treasury board finally approved a 1.25-per-cent increase as of Jan. 1, 2015 and another 1.25-per-cent hike as of Jan. 1, 2016 in April. Kelowna has 170 full-time RCMP officers. The cash will come out of a reserve account the city has been building up since the last federally approved pay rate for RCMP officers across the country expired in 2014. Officials say the retroactive pay hike was anticipated, hence the build up of the reserve account, but it is not part of the city’s current financial plan. Council will be asked to approve the payment and amend the city’s financial plan as such at the next council meeting.
Mounties in Kelowna are about to share a $1.1-million windfall. The city owes that sum in back pay, retroactive to 2014, after the federal treasury board finally approved a 1.25-per-cent increase as of Jan. 1, 2015 and another 1.25-per-cent hike as of Jan. 1, 2016 in April. Kelowna has 170 full-time RCMP officers. The cash will come out of a reserve account the city has been building up since the last federally approved pay rate for RCMP officers across the country expired in 2014. Officials say the retroactive pay hike was anticipated, hence the build up of the reserve account, but it is not part of the city’s current financial plan. Council will be asked to approve the payment and amend the city’s financial plan as such at the next council meeting.
Friday, September 15, 2017
City Of Vernon Considers Transit Improvements
Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 KISS FM Pete McIntyre September 06, 2017 05:44 am
Public input will be the next step for proposed improvements to Vernon’s transit system. The city is looking at adding three new buses, and 7-thousand more hours of service by next March. Councillor Scott Anderson says he doesn’t want to keep investing money into transit, to try and make it successful. “But if we can be shown that it’s actually having an effect, that people are actually starting to take the bus, or increasing their use of the bus, then I am in favour ot it,” Anderson tells Kiss FM. Councillor Brian Quiring says reconfiguring some of the routes would make them more efficient. “That might actually enough , but if it proves out that we need to bolster some of the routes with additional time, then we’ll add the hours,’ says Quiring. Councillor Bob Spiers is concerned about the city’s share of the extra costs — over 419-thousand dollars — which he says would increase the budget by 1.5 percent.“It’s a heck of an increase,” stated Spiers. Under an agreement with BC Transit, the City would pay 52% of the $810,000 cost.The City will get input from the public at consultation stations at the downtown bus exchange, the Schubert Centre and Walmart. and through an online survey Sept. 22 to Oct. 6.
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Also See: https://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-205859-2-.htm#205859
2017 Budget: $1,365,000 Conventional & $367,366 Handi-Dart
ADMINISTRATION UPDATES - SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 PAGE 40
Transit Reserve
By the end of 2017 there will be $760,230 in the Transit Reserve. Administration will be presenting a report to Council in November regarding the financial implications of the planned 2018 Transit Service Expansion and Changes including a summary of the public engagement. This report will include recommendations to draw on this reserve in 2018, 2019and 2020 to partially fund the planned transit service expansions.
Public input will be the next step for proposed improvements to Vernon’s transit system. The city is looking at adding three new buses, and 7-thousand more hours of service by next March. Councillor Scott Anderson says he doesn’t want to keep investing money into transit, to try and make it successful. “But if we can be shown that it’s actually having an effect, that people are actually starting to take the bus, or increasing their use of the bus, then I am in favour ot it,” Anderson tells Kiss FM. Councillor Brian Quiring says reconfiguring some of the routes would make them more efficient. “That might actually enough , but if it proves out that we need to bolster some of the routes with additional time, then we’ll add the hours,’ says Quiring. Councillor Bob Spiers is concerned about the city’s share of the extra costs — over 419-thousand dollars — which he says would increase the budget by 1.5 percent.“It’s a heck of an increase,” stated Spiers. Under an agreement with BC Transit, the City would pay 52% of the $810,000 cost.The City will get input from the public at consultation stations at the downtown bus exchange, the Schubert Centre and Walmart. and through an online survey Sept. 22 to Oct. 6.
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Also See: https://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-205859-2-.htm#205859
2017 Budget: $1,365,000 Conventional & $367,366 Handi-Dart
ADMINISTRATION UPDATES - SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 PAGE 40
Transit Reserve
By the end of 2017 there will be $760,230 in the Transit Reserve. Administration will be presenting a report to Council in November regarding the financial implications of the planned 2018 Transit Service Expansion and Changes including a summary of the public engagement. This report will include recommendations to draw on this reserve in 2018, 2019and 2020 to partially fund the planned transit service expansions.
Friday, August 04, 2017
Closure of Kal Lake Road Deferred
Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 KISS FM Pete McIntyreAugust 04, 2017 03:15 pm
The planned closure of Kalamalka Lake Road between Browne Road and the Vernon city boundary (Phase 2 of the Kalamalka Lake Road – Okanagan Rail Trail Project) has been put off until late spring 2018.The current work on Phase 1 (4th Ave to Browne Road) is expected to be wrapped up by the end of August.The full project was originally scheduled to be complete by late October 2017. In order to complete Phase 2 of the project, BC Hydro poles need to be relocated along Kalamalka Lake Road. Work on the project was delayed when BC Hydro crews responded to the state of emergency in the province. Crews from BC Hydro will continue to relocate poles in preparation for the next phase of construction in the spring.The City expects substantial completion of Phase 1 of the Kalamalka Lake Road – Okanagan Rail Trail project by mid-August, and pole relocation completion by mid-September. Minimal disruption to traffic, including lane closure and possible single-lane alternating traffic, is expected this year.
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https://www.vernon.ca/activities-events/news-events/news-archive/completion-phase-2-kal-lake-road-project-deferred-late
The planned closure of Kalamalka Lake Road between Browne Road and the Vernon city boundary (Phase 2 of the Kalamalka Lake Road – Okanagan Rail Trail Project) has been put off until late spring 2018.The current work on Phase 1 (4th Ave to Browne Road) is expected to be wrapped up by the end of August.The full project was originally scheduled to be complete by late October 2017. In order to complete Phase 2 of the project, BC Hydro poles need to be relocated along Kalamalka Lake Road. Work on the project was delayed when BC Hydro crews responded to the state of emergency in the province. Crews from BC Hydro will continue to relocate poles in preparation for the next phase of construction in the spring.The City expects substantial completion of Phase 1 of the Kalamalka Lake Road – Okanagan Rail Trail project by mid-August, and pole relocation completion by mid-September. Minimal disruption to traffic, including lane closure and possible single-lane alternating traffic, is expected this year.
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https://www.vernon.ca/activities-events/news-events/news-archive/completion-phase-2-kal-lake-road-project-deferred-late
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Fundings Cut For O’Keefe Ranch
Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 KISS FM Pete McIntyre July 18, 2017 06:41 am
Vernon council has decided how it will implement a funding cut to the O’ Keefe Ranch. The City’s funding for the heritage site will go from 150-thousand dollars to 100 thousand next year. Ranch Manager Glen Taylor says they will have to look deep into the operation. “It will be a major deal because we are so dependent on that funding. But we are going to have to come up with some other funding alternatives and other funding sources.” The ranch will get the funds in three instalments, starting with 50-thousand dollars in January. That’s going to make it tough for the ranch, “We need the money at the beginning of the season, not in August and even not in May because even this year we found that we needed more money before opened up because once we get operational we can kind of sustain ourselves.” The city will also provide 40-thousand dollars to allow the ranch to complete a business plan. ” That’s a great thing and hopefully that will give us some direction on moving forward and hopefully being sustainable in the future.”The ranch is celebrating its 150th birthday this year.
Vernon council has decided how it will implement a funding cut to the O’ Keefe Ranch. The City’s funding for the heritage site will go from 150-thousand dollars to 100 thousand next year. Ranch Manager Glen Taylor says they will have to look deep into the operation. “It will be a major deal because we are so dependent on that funding. But we are going to have to come up with some other funding alternatives and other funding sources.” The ranch will get the funds in three instalments, starting with 50-thousand dollars in January. That’s going to make it tough for the ranch, “We need the money at the beginning of the season, not in August and even not in May because even this year we found that we needed more money before opened up because once we get operational we can kind of sustain ourselves.” The city will also provide 40-thousand dollars to allow the ranch to complete a business plan. ” That’s a great thing and hopefully that will give us some direction on moving forward and hopefully being sustainable in the future.”The ranch is celebrating its 150th birthday this year.
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
MSP CUTS in 2018 and PST reduction on electricity not confirmed.
Because the Liberal Budget was not passed before the election (and will cease to exist if Liberals fail the non-confidence vote on June 29) these cuts will not happened. The NDP/Greens will have to bring in a budget and may resurrect these cuts??
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Small businesses are also getting a boost from the budget. The province plans to eliminate PST on electricity by April 2019 and cut it by 50 per cent as of Oct. 1, 2017. (This would reduce the PST from 7% to 3.5%)
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As part of its 2017 budget, the Liberal government announced approximately two million British Columbians will have their monthly Medical Services Plan (MSP) premiums cut in half starting Jan. 1, 2018.The MSP break will apply to those with an annual family net income between $29,000 and $120,000, but the reduction won't be automatic. MSP payers will have to fill out an online form to qualify for the reduction.
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Vernon Data from Payments to Vendors in Excess of $25,000 :
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Small businesses are also getting a boost from the budget. The province plans to eliminate PST on electricity by April 2019 and cut it by 50 per cent as of Oct. 1, 2017. (This would reduce the PST from 7% to 3.5%)
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As part of its 2017 budget, the Liberal government announced approximately two million British Columbians will have their monthly Medical Services Plan (MSP) premiums cut in half starting Jan. 1, 2018.The MSP break will apply to those with an annual family net income between $29,000 and $120,000, but the reduction won't be automatic. MSP payers will have to fill out an online form to qualify for the reduction.************
Vernon Data from Payments to Vendors in Excess of $25,000 :
- BC Hydro & Power Authority 2,735,122 - Electric utility, pole relocates and contributions in aid. From the 2017 budget the taxpayers electrical bill is $1,359,634 and saving would be $47,587. From the 2017 budget the Ratepayers (Sewer) electrical bill is $928,964 and saving would be $32,514.
- Medical Services Plan of BC 440,661 Employee benefits (440,661-21,000 (14 employees above $120m not eligible) =$419,661 x 50% = $209,803 possible reduction in budget for 2018 IF implemented ???
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