2018 Tax calculators (Beta version) Vernon Average Property values

City of Vernon Calculator on line at:
https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/taxes-grants/property-taxes/estimator

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19KhX-bOjzWEeWFNyE3mXyHOEGCKq8-hDNydG4OodTEU/edit#gid=0
Link above is for an interactive calculator for a 2017 to 2018 comparison of property taxes for a VERNON Residential property owner.
Example below is for the Vernon Average Property values for those years. Municipal taxes will go up 4.58% and overall taxes will increase by 4.42%.

Enter your Values in yellow sections for Land AND Improvements for both 2017 and 2018  to see your Vernon Tax Charges.

Below is a calculator that shows the 2018 Tax charges for the same valued property in Coldstream and Vernon. The example is theaverage Vernon Property. The difference is that you will pay $359.22 more in taxes for the Vernon Property.
At this Link you can use the the interactive calculator to see how your property stacks up.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1l8Hb3c53UxrGiLNpSDdqNhEWKEy2k_sSf-UXuliuUFw/edit#gid=0

Coldstream Financial Statements and 2017 SOFI

https://coldstream.civicweb.net/FileStorage/4BBE26144B5A4277AD20A605A12F4E4A-2017%20SOFI.pdf

2018 Property Tax Rattes Vernon & Coldstream

• I will be posting a tax calculator for Vernon Shortly that will allow Residential Tax payers to compare their 2017 taxes with 2018 taxes. 
• I will also be posting a calculator that will allow residents to compare taxes between Coldstream and Vernon Residential property owners for properties of same value in each jurisdiction. 

Vernon 2018 Tax Rates

Coldstream 2018 Tax rates

Cokdstream election Results 2008, 2011, 2014

Mayor Garlick unopposed 

2011 election

2008 election

Armstrong Rejects Shared Cost For RCMP Support Staff

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.

New Mayor Likely For Coldstream Next Fall

Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 KISS FM Tom Mark November 20, 2017 07:13 am

As of Nov. 20, 2017

Coldstream could have a new mayor
next year. Jim Garlick tells Kiss FM he’s been thinking about running for re-election, but maybe for a council seat instead of the Mayor’s Chair. “Just out of the idea to give it some continuity, but I’ve been thinking hard on whether to continue as Mayor. That’ll be ten years. I think to step back a little wouldn’t be bad.” Garlick jokes if you stay around too long you gather moss, but says it might be good to have fresh ideas in the office. It’s not that the fire has burned out. “No, It’s just that you get all those things done you wanted to get done and so you gotta sit back and wait for more of them to come forward. But I think a lot of the stuff that I got onto council to do, a lot of that has taken place.” Garlick says one of the biggest issues for him was parks.“I think things with restructuring with parks within the regional district. To have jurisdictions take them back under care and control because more attention is paid to them and I think a better job can be done of it.” He says it’s been gratifying to be part of developing a Master Water Plan and improving roads, bike paths and sidewalk improvements.“I think some really positive things happen in the community and we want to continue that. That’s why I’d like to continue on council moving forward just to ensure that that stays rather than walking away and letting it fall apart because of you get a whole brand new group of people on council, I think, you want to have some continuity.” Garlick says he’s been encouraging some people to think about taking on the challenge.

Pay hike looming for new politicians

By Morning Star RICHARD ROLKE Wed May 24th, 2017 6:15am
Political pay is climbing in Coldstream but not any time soon. Council voted Tuesday to hike remuneration to $13,500 for councillors and $30,000 for the mayor as of Jan. 1, 2019. “It won’t come in during our term but during the next term,” said Mayor Jim Garlick. Currently, the mayor receives $29,570 and councillors receive $11,721. There is also meeting pay. The last council remuneration review was in 2010, and since then, rates were increased annually based on the consumer price index. The decision to hike salaries followed a look at what politicians are paid in several other similar-sized communities. However, there was some debate about whether the increase should be higher as the federal government may remove the one-third tax exemption from local officials. In the end, though, council opted not to react to the possible federal policy. “If there are going to be changes, we can address them when they come along,” said Coun. Richard Enns.
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http://www.collinsbarrow.com/en/cbn/publications/2017-federal-budget-commentary
Allowance for Members of Legislative Assemblies and Certain Municipal Officers
The reimbursement of expenses incurred in the course of carrying out the duties of an office or employment is generally not a taxable benefit to the recipient. By contrast, a non-accountable allowance for which an individual does not have to provide details or submit receipts to justify amounts paid is generally a taxable benefit.

Certain officials may receive non-accountable allowances for work expenses that are not included in computing income for tax purposes. These officials are:

elected members of provincial and territorial legislative assemblies and officers of incorporated municipalities;
elected officers of municipal utilities boards, commissions, corporations or similar bodies; and
members of public or separate school boards or of similar bodies governing a school district.
The excluded amount is limited to half of the official’s salary or other remuneration received in that capacity during the year.

Budget 2017 proposes to require that non-accountable allowances paid to these officials be included in income. The reimbursement of employment expenses will remain a non-taxable benefit to the recipient.

In order to provide affected organizations more time to adjust their compensation schemes, this measure will apply to the 2019 and subsequent taxation years.
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http://www.budget.gc.ca/2017/docs/plan/budget-2017-en.pdf

2017 Comparison Coldstream vs Vernon residential calculator

Simply plug in your land and improvements assessment in the 2 Yellow Slots and Calculator will show taxes for both a Coldstream and a Vernon Property of same Value !

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EeCm_oV5thmwiXGYPDKaC9ugw2ViU8qdyoKoXkKgZio/edit#gid=0
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2017 In my case I pay $507 more in Vernon than an  identical valued property in Coldstream.  ($451.81 was the amount  in 2016).
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Coldstream 2017 rates at  https://coldstream.civicweb.net/FileStorage/55B846E93B6F46929BD106E0EDAA3FC4-Bylaw%201695%20(Final%20Adoption).pdf

Click on to enlarge .

Coldstream mayor and CAO top spenders

By JENNIFER SMITH Morning Star Thu Apr 13th, 2017 2:00pm
Coldstream’s top dogs are also the top paid. Remuneration and expense numbers for 2016 show Mayor Jim Garlick was paid $33,093, which included $2,338 in expenses. “My costs are for UBCM including transportation to Victoria and meeting pay for RDNO board meetings,” said Garlick.

This compares to the following payroll list for his colleagues on council: Gyula Kiss $15,144 and zero expenses

Peter McClean $14,354 and $1,650 in expenses
Doug Dirk $12,905 and zero expenses
Richard Enns $12,773 and $725 in expenses
Glen Taylor $12,510 and $2,058 in expenses
Pat Cochrane $11,720 and zero expenses

“Apparently I am underpaid,” laughed Cochrane. Council pay differs depending on the number of extra meetings they attend. For example, as an alternate on the Greater Vernon Advisory Council, Kiss gets paid by Coldstream for attending meetings. “I attended most of the GVAC meetings which accounts for my extra pay,” said Kiss. Although he earned more, Kiss had no expenses, which he attributes to not attending any conventions such as the Southern Interior Local Government Association and Union of B.C. Municipalities. “As for expenses or lack of: I did not go to conventions, thus, I didn’t need expenses,” said Kiss. “Ironically, I didn’t get paid for all the work I did with my work with the water plan.” Whereas Taylor attended SILGA and was booked to attend UBCM, which accounts for him having the highest expenses among council.

On the staff payroll, Chief Administrative Officer Trevor Seibel earned at least $36,000 more than anyone else on staff, and his expenses were more than three times Garlick’s.

The top paid staff members were:

Trevor Seibel, CAO, $141,371 and $7,377 in expenses
Patrician Higgins, director of financial administration, $109,011 and $3,132 in expenses
Michael Reiley, director of development services, $109,010 and $1,677 in expenses
Michael Baker, director of infrastructure services, $103,315 and $2,812 in expenses
Bob Bibby, building official, $101,268 and $2,431 in expenses

“My expenses include the costs associated with professional development, training and travel/accommodation,” said Seibel, noting that unlike most other staff he also attends UBCM. “One anomaly from 2016 is additional training as a result of the Playbook Implementation. In additional to the increased training requirements of the firefighters, there was a Fire Service Administration course that I attended, with the Fire Chiefs, in 2016.”
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2016 Coldstream SOFI Report:

Sewer Hook-Up Cost Increased

Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 KISS FM Ron Manz March 07, 2017 04:31 pm
Coldstream is proceeding with development of a bylaw for mandatory sewer hook-up for residents along Kalamalka Road and Giles, Pine and Mackie Drives. The bylaw will be introduced next Monday, March 13th. Coldstream CAO Trevor Siebel says hook-up fees will be $5-thousand dollars per household but there will be an exemption initially. “Residents that are adjacent to the sewer line between McClounie and Mackie they have a two year window to connect to the system without having to pay the connection fee.” Siebel says the municipality wants to expand the system further east into the municipality with the west end pretty much totally hooked up now. “The sewer line doesn’t go further out than where it is right now out to Mackie. That line from McClounie to Mackie is sort of the most easterly part of the system.” Siebel says hook-up fees have been increased to 5-thousand dollars from 2-thousand initially simple to cover the actual cost. “When we would connect from the sewer line and the road to their property line, those costs were far above the $2,000 that’s why we had to make that change.” About 60 homes are being exempted initially.

Coldstream farm tax ratio

District of Coldstream Finance Committee Meeting Agenda for February 6, 2017 (excerpt below re farm tax ratio)
https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/37249    (p.41)
The current resolution made by Council is that the tax multiplier for farm property be changed to 2.4:1 to be phased in·over three years beginning with the 2016 taxation year. If Council continues to
phase the reduction of the tax multiplier, the 2017 farm class rate will be reduced to 3.1:1.
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As can be seen in the appendix, the tax rate multiplier in Coldstream continues to be considerably higher in comparison to the provincial recommended tax multiplier of 1:1 for farm class properties within a regional district, as well as other communities who have agriculture as a sizeable component of the community with the exception of the City of Armstrong.

Click to Enlarge 

It stinks, say homeowners

By Kate Bouey - CASTANET  Jan 10, 2017 / 6:00 pm 
A mandatory sewer hookup program in Coldstream is causing a bit of a stink. Approximately 50 letters have been mailed to affected households on Kalamalka Road, Giles Drive, Pine Drive and Mackie Road explaining how the program will work, confirmed Trevor Seibel, Coldstream's chief administrative officer. According to the letter, “the protection of Coldstream Creek and the tributary creeks are our priority.” An information session is being held at the municipal office on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 5-8 p.m. While the homeowners have two years to hook up and pay the $2,000 fee, a number of them have expressed frustration with the additional cost and work that is required on their properties. Some say it could be as high as $25,000 as many have their septic systems in the back and need to bring their line right up to the road.
When the sewer line extension went in, homeowners were told they would only have to join if their septic systems failed.
“Unfortunately, most did not because they had functional disposal systems,” said Coun. Gyula Kiss. The councillor said when the decision was made in 2005 to extend the sewer line, about $650,000 was used from a reserve that had been set up for the replacement of lift stations. Later, another $250,000 was used by the district to buy latecomer hookup fees from the developer of Coldstream Meadows. “The big problem was there was no new bylaw to recover the funds from the extension,” Kiss said. “(Council) feels now that we have sunk all this money into it, we should recover it and force all these homeowners to hook up.” Kiss said he was opposed to the initial extension of the line. He also mentioned that those who have not hooked up are still paying an additional $100 a year parcel tax.

Land purchase narrowly pases in Coldstream

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Coldstream posted Nov 15, 2016 at 8:00 AM
It was close, but Coldstream is moving towards buying land. In a 3-2 vote Monday, council gave three readings to a short-term borrowing bylaw to acquire two acres on Kalamalka Road, between Dutch’s Campground and the Vernon boundary. “People need to think of the vision of the property and it’s to support the rail trail,” said Mayor Jim Garlick. Garlick and Councillors Pat Cochrane and Richard Enns voted for the bylaw, but opposition came from Councillors Glen Taylor and Gyula Kiss. Taylor took issue with the $550,000 cost. “We had talked about this before at a different price. We agreed to stay within our allotment,” he said. “A new price has come up and I’d like to see all of council here.” Councillors Doug Dirk and Peter McClean were absent Monday. For Kiss, he had several concerns about taking over the site. “What will we do with it and what will the cost be of developing it?” he said. It’s been suggested the property could eventually support the nearby Okanagan Rail Trail as a parking and staging area, with possible commercial uses and green space. “It’s just securing it at this time,” said Garlick, adding that discussions could be held with the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee. “It could be paid for by more than Coldstream.” As for Taylor’s questions about the price, Garlick says there were offers and counter-offers between the district and the owner. “Unfortunately, Coun. Taylor missed a meeting,” said Garlick. “The price we’re paying is reasonable and well below the assessed level.” Besides short-term borrowing, the purchase is being funded through existing reserves. Final adoption of the borrowing bylaw will go before council in mid-December.
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Also See: http://vernonblog.blogspot.ca/2016/11/rail-trail-prompts-coldstream-land.html
https://coldstream.civicweb.net/FileStorage/F8911BCE0F234A74A49F7EC968EDB595-161108_Cncl%20Rpt_Short%20Term%20Borrowing.pdf
Recommendation: THAT the District of Coldstream Short Term Capital Borrowing Bylaw No. 1689, 2016 be read a first, second and third time by title only; AND THAT the 2016 budget contained in the 2016 - 2020 Financial Plan be amended to reflect the acquisition of property l<'>cated 16506 Kalamalka Road for $550,000 funded from Parks DCC's at RDNO {$200,000), Land Sales Reserve Fund {$100,000) and Short Term Capital borrowing {$250,000).

Rail trail prompts Coldstream land purchase

by Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star Coldstream posted Nov 11, 2016 at 7:00 PM— updated Nov 11, 2016 at 8:07 PM

Coldstream insists a land purchase allows it to prepare for the future. The district has a tentative deal to acquire two acres on Kalamalka Road, between Dutch's Campground and the Vernon boundary, for $550,000. “The acquisition of the property at 16506 Kalamalka Rd. will provide a key piece of land in support of the anticipated growth of usage along the Okanagan Rail Trail” said Mayor Jim Garlick. “The economic activity generated by users of the rail trail will benefit Coldstream and the region and we need to be prepared for that. This acquisition better prepares Coldstream for the future.” Trevor Seibel, chief administrative officer, says more information on potential land uses will be forthcoming over subsequent months. The purchase is being funded through existing reserves and short-term borrowing, and the short-term borrowing bylaw will be on Monday's council agenda.
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https://coldstream.civicweb.net/FileStorage/F8911BCE0F234A74A49F7EC968EDB595-161108_Cncl%20Rpt_Short%20Term%20Borrowing.pdf
Recommendation: THAT the District of Coldstream Short Term Capital Borrowing Bylaw No. 1689, 2016 be read a first, second and third time by title only; AND THAT the 2016 budget contained in the 2016 - 2020 Financial Plan be amended to reflect the acquisition of property l<'>cated 16506 Kalamalka Road for $550,000 funded from Parks DCC's at RDNO {$200,000), Land Sales Reserve Fund {$100,000) and Short Term Capital borrowing {$250,000).
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https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/34822/161111_16506%20Kalamalka%20Road_Media%20release.pdf?handle=49CDC9E5DEC74D93B435841FEAB4DE51

Revolution a life-changer for councillor

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Coldstream posted Oct 30, 2016 at 6:00 AM

Sixty years after confronting totalitarianism, Gyula Kiss still clings to his rebellious roots.It was in 1956 that Kiss and thousands of other Hungarians rose up against their communist oppressors. “We stood up for something we believed in was right. I’ve always done that,” said Kiss, who is now a Coldstream councillor and often a lone voice on a variety of issues such as the water utility. At the time the Hungarian Revolution broke out Oct. 23, 1956, Kiss was a 20-year-old in Vac and a third-year forestry student. Peaceful protests began in the streets across the country. “After living under the regime for so many years, we didn’t have any freedom,” said Kiss. “We felt oppression from Russia and their representatives in Hungary. People knocked on doors in the middle of the night and you may never be seen again.” However, conditions soon escalated and on Nov. 4, Soviet troops invaded the country. The level of violence became clear to Kiss as he accompanied trucks with food and medical aid to Budapest. “Street cars were shot up and buildings. People were carrying guns,” he said. Among those to eventually take up arms was Kiss, who packed a Tommy gun as students attempted to stop Soviet tanks. But as the tanks arrived, some gave up their weapons and others fled, including Kiss. Back at the university in Sopron, an emergency meeting of students and professors led to the next steps. Primarily, they went to Austria. Little time was given to what they were leaving behind. “We didn’t think much about family. We were more concerned about the people crushed during the revolution,” he said. There was also the reality that if caught, many students would wind up in jail. “You don’t think of it at the time. It was an exhilarating two weeks and we thought we were winning,” said Kiss. “But when it was crushed, it was very difficult.” With the students idle in Austria, a dean sent out letters to a variety of countries in the hopes of the students continuing their education. In the end, an offer came from the University of B.C.’s forestry program. “We thought Canada was further away from Russia and there’s lots of forest,” said Kiss. More than 200 faculty and students from Hungary’s school of forestry arrived and they established the Sopron division of the faculty of forestry at the University of B.C. Landing in Vancouver in 1957, Kiss experienced a mixed reception. “The (UBC) students came out to receive us at the airport. They were generally quite accommodating. But if you were on a bus and spoke Hungarian to each other, some people resented it. They would say, ‘Speak English,’” he said. Kiss ultimately graduated from UBC in 1959 and went on to pursue a 30-year career in the B.C. Forest Service, including establishing the research station in Vernon. He also raised a family and became involved in his community, serving a term as mayor of Coldstream. Sixty years later, Kiss can’t help but reflect on what happened on the streets of Hungary. “It (revolution) was a crushing defeat for us but being more selfish, it changed my life,” he said of his move to Canada. “I came out here with $5 and one set of clothes — nothing else. I had no relatives.” Hungarian Cultural Week was recently held in B.C. and it acknowledged the contributions Hungarian refugees have made to the province. More than 37,000 Hungarians emigrated to Canada after the revolution.

Sold sign goes up on Lavington glass plant

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Coldstream posted Sep 30, 2016 at 3:00 PM

A major real estate deal could have significant ramifications for the local economy. The sold sign went up in front of the former Lavington glass plant Friday, eight years after it was mothballed by Owens Illinois. “It’s huge for the valley,” said Michael Molnar, chief executive officer of Vernon’s Restoration Lands. Manufacturing will occur there, but specific details won’t be released until a press conference some time this week. “There will be a lot going on there,” said Molnar. “I’ve had a vision for this property for five years. O-I was outstanding to deal with.” The property on Hill Drive covers 91.7 acres and is zoned general industrial on three titles. The building is about 10 acres in size, with the warehouse itself about 6.3 acres with six covered loading bays. Negotiations between Molnar and O-I have been underway for some time. “We got a signed contract Wednesday after eight months of back and forth,” said Bill Hubbard, the local realtor representing Molnar. Don Kassa, a Vernon realtor, has been marketing the property for O-I since the plant closed in 2008. “I am pleased to see someone local is the owner,” said Kassa. “What’s interesting is at the 11th hour, we had numerous interested parties.” The property was listed at $5 million, but details on the purchase price aren’t known. “It was a fair deal for all involved,” said Molnar. Jim Garlick, Coldstream mayor, doesn’t have a lot of details but he welcomes Molnar’s plans. “We’re happy because it means something will happen there,” he said. “If jobs are created, it’s a good thing.”About 300 jobs were lost when O-I shut down the glass plant in 2008.

Coldstream gives nod to rainbow crosswalk

posted Aug 26, 2016 at 6:00 AM Morning Star

Coldstream council has ratified a proposal to install a rainbow crosswalk on Kalamalka Road, at Kal Beach. Motorists will be greeted with bright colours and a message of inclusivity in Coldstream. The anticipated cost for the thermoplast paint is between $5,000 and $7,000. “When the (2017) budget process begins, further information will come forward,” said Mayor Jim Garlick. The crosswalk will likely be installed next spring.

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7 Colours of the Rainbow
rainbowHave you ever seen a rainbow? Sometimes when the sun is shining and it is rainy somewhere at the same time, you can see a rainbow. It's a huge arch of colours in the sky. It's caused by the light from the sun being broken up by water droplets in the atmosphere. The sun's light is "white", but the water droplets break it up into seven different colours, always in this order:

RED ORANGE YELLOW GREEN BLUE INDIGO VIOLET

There is an easy way to remember them (a mnemonic):
- Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain

Rainbow Crossing at Kal Lake

Posted on 8/16/2016 12:08 PM by Ron Manz 107.5 KISSFM
Coldstream's Committee of the Whole is recommending the District install a rainbow crosswalk by Kal Beach. Local resident Aasha Sanders made the initial request presenting council with a petition for one.Mayor Jim Garlick says it could be in place by next year if council agrees."It would be a plastic material that goes down, not regular paint, so it has a longer life, at Kal Beach at the crossing where it goes from the parking lot above to the beach. It will be a design of a rainbow with the white colors on either side as well to make sure that it is safe.""Some of our more high use crosswalks are going to using this plastic material anyway. It's something we've already done. So there will be an increase in cost, but not as significant as we initially thought. I can't speak to the exact amount but we might be looking at a couple of thousand dollars more for it."Garlick says the rainbow crosswalk will show everyone Coldstream is an inviting all-inclusive community."Its a statement I think that is important at this time in the world in what we've heard of people wanting to shut all types of people out. We want to make sure we are seen as an inclusive society. Anyone is welcome here! "Garlick says the crosswalk will be voted on at the next Coldstream Council meeting next week.

Emergency program split

By Kate Bouey - CASTANET Aug 12, 2016 / 5:00 am

Vernon's emergency preparedness is “top notch” despite the impending break up of a regional program, according to Mayor Akbal Mund. “We're going to run it as we always did,” said Mund. “Our emergency services are top notch.” Despite plaudits when the program began in 2010, the inter-municipal emergency program (IEP), run by co-ordinator Helen Sinclair from the City of Vernon, ends on Dec. 31. The IEP provides operational support to first responders in the North Okanagan, including fire, police, ambulance and public works during major incidents. Earlier this week, the District of Coldstream took the step of hiring its first protective services co-ordinator. Matthew Treit takes on the role effective Sept. 8. “He's taking on many tasks,” said Coldstream Mayor Jim Garlick, of Treit's role. “He will have the same role as Helen Sinclair and will also do fire inspections, among other things. We have blended a lot of tasks into one job.” Armstrong Mayor Chris Pieper, chairman of the Emergency Services committee, points the finger at Coldstream and the North Okanagan Regional District for first deciding to leave the program – leaving Lumby,

https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/adopted_2016-2020_financial_plan.pdf P.164-165

Armstrong, Enderby and Spallumcheen trying to decide what to do. “We got together and asked 'what should we do' and, in the end, dissolved the function. We decided everybody will go their own way,” said Pieper. “It is nothing about poor service. It has been extremely well done.” Pieper is not worried his area would be unprepared in the event of disaster. “We all have mutual aid agreements. If somebody needs help, they come. It's happened before and it could happen again,” he said. “God forbid a Fort McMurray could happen here but if it did we would come together instantly. All it takes are a couple of phone calls.” Mund agreed, but added that once the service ends, other communities will have to pay for that additional help. “In a major catastrophe, it could end up costing the smaller municipalities more.” Meanwhile, Sinclair has been helping communities set up their own programs. The many volunteers who take part in times of emergency are being asked to register with their municipalities, she said.