Additional $1.01 million comes from taxes on new homes and businesses
Council plans to spend $8.76 million on Osoyoos town operations and capital projects in 2006.
That's up 13 per cent from the $7.75 million budgeted in 2005.
Jim Zakall, Osoyoos Director of Finance and Acting Chief Administrative Officer, says the additional $1.01 million available for town projects this year is largely thanks to the tax revenue generated from the many new residential and commercial developments popping up across Osoyoos.
It's new tax dollars, he notes.
Zakell says only a small portion of the additional revenue comes from higher taxes on current property.
In fact, he says, the average single-family homeowner will pay just four per cent more for municipal taxes. So, the average Osoyoos home “ now worth $252,303 “ would be assessed $481.62 this year, up $18.52 from 2005.
The average business in Osyoos “ now valued at $270,617 “ will pay 723.23 in municipal taxes, up 10.24 per cent over last year.
At its meeting last week, Council approved third reading of a five-year financial plan for Osoyoos, which includes the proposed budget for 2006. The measures will be open for public input at Council's next meeting, May 15, before Council votes to give final approval to the budget.
The 2006 budget sets out $4.95 million for operations, which will include:
¢ A 17.4-per-cent increase for Fire Protection operating costs.
¢ $39,000 for the Osoyoos Museum.
¢ Two new full-time Town staff “ one in Development Services and the other in Corporate Services.
¢ A 2.5-per-cent increase for Town staff who are in the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
¢ Higher payments for gas, oil and other utilities.
¢ Painting of the Art Gallery building.
¢ Temporary relocation of the Visitor Information Centre.
¢ Increased service for the transit bus.
¢ Increased bylaw enforcement in Town parks from June 1-Aug. 15.
¢ Increased operation of the Sonora Centre.
¢ Higher costs for water licensing fees and sewer pump maintenance.
The budget also sets out $3.52 million for capital projects this year, including:
¢ New audio-visual equipment for Council chambers.
¢ Replacement of computer equipment.
¢ Downtown banners.
¢ A gateway sign.
¢ Park signs.
¢ Completion of Phase 2 of the Sonora Centre, including work on the gym floor, a stage curtain and fitness equipment.
¢ Fencing at the Town's skateboard park.
¢ New Fire Department equipment.
¢ A landfill site closure plan.
¢ A number of roadway and sidewalk improvements.
¢ A pedestrian crosswalk at Highway 97 and 62nd Avenue.
¢ Street lighting.
¢ A new hoist, half-ton truck and two-ton truck for the Town's Public Works Department.
¢ Completion of airport site servicing and paving.
¢ $488,500 for a number of upgrades to the Town's water system.
¢ $514,100 for a number of upgrades to the Town's sewer system.
