By Sebastian Kanally
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) Manager of Finance Jim Zaffino presented the Oliver portion of the budget for 2023-2027 to the Town Council on January 9, 2023.
In his presentation Zaffino reported that the tax requisition has increased $56,217 over 2022 resulting in a net tax increase of 1.95 per cent. This net increase is a low number in relation to the entire regional district and is therefore welcomed news.
“Your portion of the burden of the budget, the tax requisition, affecting your services, dropped.“ Zaffino summarized.
The RDOS is not a taxing authority. It has to set a budget, then subsequently requisitions money to be raised from taxation through the province to pay for its services.
This drop means that Oliver is paying less in relation to the total Regional District’s budget than some other municipalities.
Oliver has the lowest net change in the region besides the Penticton Indian Band, who have much different services and therefore quite a different budget. This net increase of 1.95 per cent compares to a 9.34 per cent net increase for Osoyoos and 6.17 per cent for Penticton.
The budget is still in its early phases and has been presented as a first reading. Zaffino emphasized, “this is not the final budget, at the second and third reading there will be changes.”
“Thank you Jim for the good news,” Mayor Martin Johansen replied.
The draft “Five Year Financial Plan” goes out to the public for consultation throughout February. Final reading is scheduled for March 2 and it must be adopted by March 31.
Since the Regional District is not a taxing authority, it has to requisition (request how much it needs to perform its services), so the province can then issue tax notices to citizens through the municipalities who are a part of communities that receive district services.
The RDOS taxes are based on the services provided, not the location that one happens to be in, this ensures each property owner pays the same for a service no matter where they are. Only those who participate in the service pay for it. Some regional services include Emergency planning, 911 Emergency call system, animal control, among others.
