Oliver spreads out pain from policing changes

A nine per cent municipal tax increase is expected to help the Town of Oliver bear a sharp rise in policing costs.

The five-year financial plan bylaw was officially adopted by town council Monday at its regular council meeting — raising the municipal tax for an average residential taxpayer by $47.50 in 2018.

According to the most recent census data, Oliver is facing a likely scenario of the municipality's population rising above 5,000, a threshold that brings the town’s share of provincial policing costs from 30 to 70 per cent.

Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes said a nine per cent tax increase annually will have the town prepared for the eventual financial hit, with about 50 per cent of the extra money going toward RCMP costs.

“Doing it this way, by raising taxes on an annual basis leading up to it, is going to be a softer blow to constituents,” Hovanes said.

The rise in policing costs would see a 54 per cent tax increase if it wasn’t spread out over five years.

With a municipal election coming up in October, Hovanes said the tax plan is what the council of today would like to see, but is not guaranteed past this year.

The town missed the 5,000 population mark by just 28 people in the 2016 census, the same year 100 new students were added to the school system, likely putting Oliver already over the threshold.

“Nine per cent is nothing that we’re pleased about,” Hovanes said. “But we would be really irresponsible if we didn’t try and do something.”

The tax increase isn’t solely being reserved for policing costs. Hovanes said council is hoping to put some of the funds toward future capital projects as well.

Oliver has approached the province in the past to ask for an incremental increase in provincial policing costs, as has Osoyoos, which is grappling with the same issues.

“We’re in no different position than Peachland was a couple of years ago, or Creston or Duncan on the Island. I really think it’s kind of cruel to jump 30 per cent to 70 per cent of the associated policing costs in one blow,” Hovanes said.

Oliver was given full assurance that additional policing costs or files raised from the new Okanagan Correctional Centre will be picked up by province.

“We’re tracking those numbers. It has had an impact on police work in our local detachment,” Hovanes said, noting outside help has already been brought in to assist the local detachment.

One of two new promised police officers from the province has started working in the community as well.