By Sebastian Kanally, Times Chronicle
The 2023-2027 Financial Plan was back at the Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) Board of Directors meeting, passing final reading, and officially adopted.
Jim Zaffino, Manager of Finance, was present to go over the proposed changes, which included just one change for a governance study in Okanagan Falls. Zaffino reminded the board that he presented the budget to the six municipalities and the majority of areas, taking note of any issues raised..
Zaffino said the budget was generally well received except for some questions around transit. “Why do we have large buses with so few passengers?” and “why do we subsidize the passengers?” he recounted people asking.
The budget passed and was adopted with two members against it: Director Helena Konanz and Director James Miller both Penticton city councilors.
Konanz explained that in this budget Penticton’s summary was going up by 7.3 per cent.
“I have to say that I think as governments we’re just asking too much of our citizens. I mean this is a really large increase for our citizens, especially with so many people having a difficult time right now.” She continued to explain that Penticton is already dealing with their own budget increases expected to be around 10 per cent and if approved will be the highest in almost 20 years.
“I think as governments we have to look at what is happening in our communities, we’re growing, growing, and growing, but our businesses and citizens are having a very difficult time. So I am not going to be able to approve this myself, I am going to have to vote it down, but again I want you to know that I appreciate the work you’ve put into it,” Konanz explained, directing the last part to Zaffino.
Following this Mayor of Osoyoos Sue McKortoff jumped into the discussion, saying that Osoyoos has a 10 per cent increase, and explained that she had asked Zaffino previously about the high increase before he came and spoke to the Osoyoos town council. She continued that he was very good at explaining why and that she appreciates the work that he has done.
The total requisition for the entire regional district is $24,092,253, which amounted to a net increase of 7.05 per cent from the last budget.
The total tax requisition for Oliver was $1,707,803 which amounted to 3.33 per cent net increase. The total tax requisition for Osoyoos was $1,028,899 which amounted to 10.04 net increase from the previous budget.
