The average household in rural Oliver may have to pay $50 more in taxes this year.
That was the message from regional district finance manager Sandy Croteau during a 2014 draft budget presentation at the Oliver Community Centre January 28.
Croteau said the average household will pay approximately $541 this year, compared to $491 in 2013.
Parks and recreation services take the biggest bite at $173, while regional services will cost $155.
Overall, Area C residents are looking at paying an additional $114,780 (nine per cent increase) for services over last year. This is mainly due to Frank Venables Theatre debt servicing and an increase in assessments for Area C. Rural Oliver had the highest assessment value increase in the region at 2.67 per cent.
Other factors impacting the budget are landfill tipping fees, which are expected to rise to $95 per ton in 2014, compared to $72 last year.
Establishing a regional compost site is another factor influencing the budget.
Croteau explained that a large portion of people’s tax notices reflect what the provincial government gets, which the regional district has no control over.
Area C resident Dorothy Taylor wanted to know if the Frank Venables Theatre referendum this fall will be easy to understand.
Area C director Allan Patton said voters will be given an exact figure of what it will cost, and it will basically be a yes or no question.
Fruit grower Dave Evans said he would like to see a budget item on interface forest management.
Patton said they have been cleaning out high-risk areas, such as the Shrike Hill area and Willowbrook. But more fire suppression work is needed in Shrike Hill, he pointed out.
Evans also wants to see more focus on a trails budget.
Patton said the regional district is still working on its trails master plan. He noted the McIntyre passing lane project gobbled up a portion of the KVR trail, which he wasn’t happy about.
But the biggest concern was raised by a local entrepreneur. As a small business owner, he said he doesn’t have a choice but to pay the “absurd” electrical charges imposed by FortisBC.
“So many people can’t afford to operate in the rural area. I don’t have gas, and I can’t afford to get a $2,000 bill,” said the proprietor, who did not want to be identified.
He noted it’s almost impossible to stay within the Tier 1 billing block, and you’re still wearing your jacket in the house with the heat turned down.
Patton said the regional district has invited FortisBC to board meetings to explain the rate hikes. He noted that company representatives are “quite obstinate” on the issue, and the utility will apparently not listen to the board or the general public.
“We’re seeing little sympathy,” said Patton, adding there is no rationalization for the rate hikes.
The director said it doesn’t seem to matter if you renovate your home with energy efficient concepts, the company will still charge you the same rate.
Evans advised people to start heating their home with wood. But Patton said he burns wood and is still faced with big heating bills.
Area C resident Bill Eggert said people should be directing their complaints to the BC Utilities Commission, not FortisBC. He noted it’s the commission that approves the rate increases.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
