OSOYOOS TIMES-April 14, 2010

By Laurena Weninger – Osoyoos Times

Municipal taxes will be 2.9 per cent higher in 2010, Osoyoos town council announced at its April 6 meeting, where it gave the Town’s five-year financial plan first, second and third reading.
“Council is quite proud of this budget,” said Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells, pointing out the 2.9 per cent is barely higher than the required wage increases for Town staff of 2.82 per cent.
The 2009 budget for Osoyoos included a 1.64 per cent increase to municipal taxes.
Water and sewer rates will also go up this year.
There will be a $3 increase to residential sewer user fees, with a 1.46 per cent increase for other users such as commercial and industrial.
Water will go up by $8 for residential user fees, with a 3.09-per-cent increase to the water rates of other users such as commercial and industrial and a 2.6-per-cent increase to remaining district rates.
Overall, the average assessed town residence is facing an increase of about $10, explains a report from Town staff.
In 2009, an average assessed residence was valued at $388,213 and municipal taxes for such a residence were $558.72 while sewer user fees were $206 and water user fees were $259.
In 2010, the average assessed residence was valued at $376,842.
The amount of municipal taxes on such a residence this year equals $557.73 while sewer fees are $209 and water fees are $267.
The Town’s operating costs for 2010 are also going up, by $268,773.
Reasons for the increase listed in a Town report include the aforementioned wage increase of 2.82 per cent, extra payments for those salaried Town staff members who have devoted time to working on the Northwest Sector Sewer Project, the Climate Action Project undertaken by the Town and the Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen and a 12.72 per cent increase in fire department operating expenses.
Capital projects budgeted for 2010 total $14.3 million.
That includes a sustainability plan, computer equipment, webcasting of council meetings, road reconstruction of Fuji Court, Finch Crescent, 87th Street (from Jubilee to 92nd Avenue), Spartan Drive Phase 1 and the 45th Street realignment.
The capital projects budget also includes plans to upgrade sidewalks and walkways, park upgrades and work on the Waterfront Master Plan.
Highlights from the budget, along with the five-year-financial plan, are available online and at Town Hall.
The public will have the opportunity to speak to the matter at the April 19 meeting of council.
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