Oliver taxpayers will pay a bit more to the regional district this year.
Got an extra $25 in your pocket? The regional district needs that, please.
Finance manager Sandy Croteau gave the tax requisition lowdown to Oliver Town council recently.
With overall expenditures of $37.4 million this year (up from $37.1 last year), the RDOS needs more of your money.
But Croteau said Oliver is only paying 4.75 per cent of the regional district’s costs in 2016. Oliver will pay a total of $1.7 million to the regional district this year, an increase of $83,000 from 2015.
Croteau noted that assessments in Oliver are up 2.93 per cent.
Based on the average home valued at $271,000, Oliver residents will pay about $385 in regional taxes this year, compared to $360 in 2015.
Some factors affecting this year’s requisition: a $6,500 increase in the 9-1-1 emergency call system (for upgrading); an increase of $5,000 for regional trails; and an increase of $7,000 for heritage.
The biggest factor is an increase of $95,000 for recreation (increased operating costs and a one-time weight room expansion project). This project is a shared service, so Oliver’s cost will be $46,000.
Under the Okanagan Similkameen Regional Hospital District, with a budget of $18.1 million, up from $16.1 million, Oliver’s share is $276,400.
The cost per average household valued at $305,000 is $101, up from $96 last year. The average $271,000 household will pay $91.
Croteau noted a $1.7 million capital request for the following: tub room renovations and wireless infrastructure expansion at Sunnybank Centre; heat exchanger replacement at McKinney Place; and equipment replacement/medical station replacement at the Oliver hospital.
