Osoyoos Town Hall. (File photo)

By Vanessa Broadbent

Osoyoos Times

Osoyoos tax payers will pay about $62.74 more in 2019 than they did in 2018.

Last week, Osoyoos town council adopted their new five-year financial plan for 2019-2023, which includes a total increase of costs to $1,723.65 for the average single-family residence.

Highlighted changes to the new over $6.5 million budget include a 2.93 per cent increase to property taxes, while garbage and recycling fees will remain at $134.

For a single-family residence, sewer rates will increase by $5.02 annually and water rates will increase by $10.29.

Water district rates will increase by $10.22 annually for single-family homes.

Collectively, the increases are projected to bring in an additional $162,894 in revenue.

As for expenses, town wages and benefits increased by $237,110 and the RCMP budget increased to $953,450.

Funds were set aside for several projects including banners on Highway 3 ($8,000), rat control ($5,000) and staff recruitment ($15,000).

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The Osoyoos Fire Department will see a nearly 21 per cent increase of $146,070, allowing for additional training courses, training wages, firefighter wages, a new full-time chief and new fire truck.

Funding for the municipal landfill went up by $24,080.

Council also approved a new business plan to accompany the financial plan.

General capital projects for 2019 include a washroom constructed at a park at the end of Cottonwood Drive, dog park upgrades, ball diamond improvements, construction of a washroom in the West Bench area, construction of a bike trail from Lakeshore Drive to Cottonwood Drive, a community garden at the Sonora Centre and improved access, and repairing flood damage at Cottonwood Beach.

The Town also plans to improve the intersections at Jasmine Drive and 32 Ave., and Main Street and 70th Ave.

Sewer main lift construction is planned to start in the spring, as well as the irrigation restoration project at the Osoyoos golf course.

Operations projects include continued work on a regional pool development, boundary expansion in the Lakeshore Drive area, completion of a feasibility study for a new town hall, a review of the Official Community Plan, and a housing needs assessment.

Along with a new fire chief, the town also plans to hire a new CAO and staff an internal bylaw enforcement service.