It will cost more to go for a swim
It’s going to cost you more to live in Penticton. At Tuesday’s meeting, city council approved a number of fee increases effective in 2019.
If you want to go swimming next year, it’s going to cost you more. Your electricity and water bills are going up too.
City staff said the key driver to these increases is keeping up with inflation and staying in line with neighbouring markets.
Recreation fees are going up five per cent, including aquatic and fitness.
But to mitigate that, the city is introducing a family rate.
Rates at the pool haven’t increased since 2015, said a staff report.
Everyone will see a 3.5 per cent increase on their electrical utility bill.
Coun. Helena Konanz pointed out that electrical went up last year too.
Treated water rates are increasing an average of 3.88 per cent.
It will cost you around $50 more to get a fireworks display permit.
Planning fees haven’t increased since 2016 so there are some big increases for developers, said city planning manager Blake Laven.
“Planning isn’t a cost recovery department. Our operating budget is $650,000 and we only recoup $250,000,” he said.
Subdivision fees change from $300 per lot to $1,000 per lot, and comprehensive development zone fees double from $2,250 to $5,000 to reflect the amount of work there is to do this zoning.
“In most categories we are cheaper than Kelowna and Vernon but higher than Summerland,” said Laven. Business license fees will increase as well. The city will also start to proactively go after vacant homes with an increased fee. That would include derelict buildings like abandoned motels, said staff.