The Town of Oliver finalized a five-year plan that sees rate increases across the board, including water and sewer utility rates and parcel taxes, pushing an average increase of $244 to $1,372.10 for an average home this year, up 21.6 per cent over last year.
Oliver is looking to leap into the 21st century when it comes to asset management by creating a technological base for all its data.
Local politicians are already divided over a proposal to prohibit the development of private water and sewer systems.
Osoyoos residents within town boundaries will join their compatriots in other Okanagan municipalities with a move to separate out and charge utilities separately from the annual property tax.
Osoyoos will join many other municipalities in the province which separate utilities from property tax after council voted four to one on the move.
Osoyoos and Oliver have both received their share of the $1 billion one-time grants to help address growing communities across BC.
