Town council has presented its 2019 budget. (File photo)
By Vanessa Broadbent
Osoyoos Times
The Town of Osoyoos has created its operating budget and five year capital project plan for 2019 and last week the community had the opportunity to give their input on where funds should be directed.
At a budget meeting on Jan. 30, the town presented the $28,383,495 budget and heard requests for funding for several community initiatives.
The average single-family residence can expect to see an increase of $62.74 in 2019, based on an assessment of $430,673.
The increase includes $9.74 more for municipal taxes, $19.79 more for policing, a $5.02 raise in sewer rates and $10.29 more in water rates.
The long list of capital projects for 2019 includes new washrooms at Legion Beach, West Bench Park and the end of Cottonwood Drive, a new fire truck, improvements to the intersections at Jasmine Dr. and 32 Ave., and Main Street and 70 Ave., and hiring additional town staff as well as a full-time fire chief and another RCMP officer.
Asks of council, presented at the budget meeting, included $11,000 for the annual Cactus Jalopies event, $5,000 to hire a race director for the Osoyoos Lake Paddling Club’s dragon boat race, $20,000 for the Osoyoos Elks Lodge to host a blues festival, and an estimated $20,000 to $25,000 for lighting at the Lawn Bowling Club’s green.
