Town of Oliver residents will pay nearly five per cent more in taxes to the regional district this year, while Area C residents will pay nearly 10 per cent more.

That’s what it looked like after the regional district adopted its 2014-2018 Five Year Financial Plan last week.

The total district requisition of $13.8 million is an increase (from 2013) of $529,559.

The biggest increase ($44,664) in Oliver relates to Frank Venables Theatre, in relation to debt servicing costs for building the facility (approved by referendum).

Other increases include recreation (up $14,575) and parks (up $15,832).

Sandy Croteau, finance manager for the regional district, said there was no budget increase in parks and recreation services from 2013-2014.

“Oliver and Area C’s portions changed because of the change in the assessment mix, but no additional funds were raised for parks and recreation.”

Solid waste management costs have gone up (from $3,028 to $6,808).

The average tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value has increased from 1.18 to 1.27. As a result, the average taxes per property under the regional district is $418.97 (up from $399.61 last year – a difference of $19.35).

The regional district’s tax requisition from Area C has increased by $118,610 this year (a 9.5 per cent jump). Last year the regional district requisitioned $1,247,202 from rural Oliver.

The average tax rate jumped from 1.97 to 2.12, with the average property taxes jumping approximately $51 (from $491.44 in 2013 to $542.65 this year).

The tax requisition for parks has increased more than $16,000 this year, while refuse disposal will cost $12,711 more.

The requisition for Frank Venables Theatre is nearly $37,000 more than last year (from $52,000 to $89,000).

Croteau said the increase for Area C includes the Willowbrook service area (which not all of Area C is a part of). As a result, the 9.5 per cent rate would not apply to all residents.

“Those not in Willowbrook would have a slightly lower per cent increase, and those in Willowbrook would have a slightly higher percentage.”