Okanagan Similkameen regional government growing with budget provisions for new hires

PENTICTON – Taxes will likely go up across the South Okanagan-Similkameen regional district as government grows.

The 2017 budget includes $330,000 for an additional 10 full and part time staffing positions which will result in the equivalent of 5.75 full time positions. A part time student position in the planning department at $2,000 and an additional $17,000 for landfill staff to allow Saturday openings is also in the budget.

Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen board of directors edged closer to finalizing the 2017 budget yesterday, Dec. 15, as the document heads towards first reading at the Jan. 5, 2017 board meeting.

The total budget requisition sits at $52 million compared to $49 million in 2016.

Municipal tax requisitions will see regional district municipalities with the following increases for 2017:

• Penticton – taxes for the average house valued at $344,323, will rise $3, from $76 to $79
• Summerland – taxes for the average house valued at $390,087, will rise $2, from $88 to $90
• Princeton – taxes for the average house valued at  $167,809 will rise $2, from $27 to $28
• Oliver – taxes for the average house valued at  $ 270,717 will rise $12, from $398 to $386
• Osoyoos- taxes for the average house valued at $293,468 will rise $6, from $149 to $155
• Keremeos – taxes for the average house valued at  $195,150 will rise $39, from $307 to $346
• Penticton Indian Band – taxes for the average house valued at $195,150 will rise  $39, from $307 to $346

In the rural areas, Electoral Area “F” (West Bench) faces the most significant increase, rising $98 for the average house valued at $463,700, from $972 to $1,070.

Electoral Area “A” (rural Osoyoos) will see the lowest increase, rising $8 on an average house valued at $341,206, rising from $519 to $527 in 2017.

The board also approved up to $450,000 for the regional district’s new Environmental Conservation Fund, which could add another $10 to the average regional district household’s tax bill if approved prior to first reading.

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