Summerland hikes tax by 2.75 per cent

SUMMERLAND — Summerland property owners can expect to pay 2.75 per cent more in taxes effective July 1, according to terms of the proposed 2018 budget received by council Monday.

David Svetlichny, the district’s director of finance, said 1.71 per cent of the hike is attributed to the operating funding shortfall and 1.03 per cent to increasing reserve contributions for future.

Owners of an average Summerland home assessed at $535,900 will see an increase in property taxes of approximately $55.40.

That same home would have been assessed at $466,230 in 2017.

A general operating fund of $13.8 million is proposed, with the largest portion of just over $3 million allocated to works and utilities, followed by $2.8 million for protective services, which includes fire and police services plus bylaw enforcement and building inspections.

“The most significant contractual and legislative obligations affecting the proposed financial plan are $85,000 for a solid waste manager, $83,440 for the garbage-landfill contract and $30,000 for hazardous waste regulations,” Svetlichny said.

An amount of $23,700 is included for this coming municipal election.

In its deliberations, council decided not to reduce any levels of service.

But following a thorough review of potential cost savings, council decided to increase levels of service for street sweeping, minor street repairs, snow removal and internal records management.

These increased levels of service equate to $109,000.

Regarding the capital portion of the general fund, Svetlichny projected an expenditure of approximately $15.8 million over the fiscal years 2018 and 2019.

Identified major projects include mobile fleet replacement, Giant’s Head Trail upgrades, the skateboard park, LED streetlight retrofits and the Arts & Culture Centre.

An open house on the budget will be held from on Thursday, March 22, from 3 to 7 p.m. in the arena banquet room. A formal presentation by staff is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

Following public feedback, council may wish to change the financial plan before finalization, explained chief administrative officer Linda Tynan.