aThe Town of Oliver wants to ensure that farmers are paying the proper rate for irrigation services.
Council recently passed a motion stating that staff will investigate whether the water supplied by the town is still being used for farming purposes when BC Assessment amends a property’s classification (from Class 9 to another class).
The motion was made by water councillor Andre Miller during a discussion about irrigation rates for farm and non-farm properties.
Council agreed to have staff investigate several properties to determine the proper rates after their classifications changed from Class 9 (farm) to Class 1 (residential).
Chief financial officer Dave Svetlichny reminded council about an incident last year when BC Assessment changed a property’s classification, resulting in a higher irrigation rate, which the owner’s disputed. In the end, council reduced the rate (back to farm) even though the property lost its Class 9 designation.
Svetlichny said staff have done their due diligence by notifying the property owners and letting them know they will be paying the higher, non-farm rate, unless they can prove they are still farming.
If no documentary proof is received, invoices (at the higher rate) will be going out in mid-July, with staff encouraging council not to make any adjustments after that date.
Heather Piotz, manager of financial services, said in order for properties to retain the reduced irrigation rate, they need to submit documentation that they have applied for or retained farm status from BC Assessment by July 12.
If no documentation is received, the Town will be adjusting the rate to non-farm, which is $715 per acre.
Councillor Dave Mattes said the Town needs a policy to prevent situations where property owners raise concerns about something that council has no control over, such as provincial taxation on land.
Municipal Manager Tom Szalay said someone has to determine if these properties are still used for farming purposes. Mattes said that can be done simply by driving around and looking at the properties.
Mayor Ron Hovanes said a language barrier exists with some property owners in Oliver.
But Svetlichny said the BC Assessment Authority has staff who speak different languages to accommodate this barrier. He noted it has been very frustrating for Town staff who get yelled at by some property owners. “It gets to the point where it is pretty ridiculous.”
Hovanes said if you replant an orchard, it can take three or four years until a crop appears. “You go two or three years without an income, yet you are still farming.”
