West Kelowna mulls increase of 3 to 5%

Three, four or five.

Those were the numbers associated with a possible tax hike, in percentage terms, to be considered Tuesday by members of West Kelowna city council.

City managers laid out a variety of options for the 2019 spending plan, each of which would have different impacts on how much taxpayers will be asked to hand over to the municipality this summer.

Since 2011, annual tax hikes in West Kelowna have averaged 2.8 per cent.

A three per cent boost this year would mean the owner of a typical home worth $600,000 would pay an additional $58 in municipal taxes.

But if council eventually settles on three per cent, city staff also suggest imposition of a new socalled franchise fee, a levy on FortisBC Gas assets that would result in an additional yearly charge to customers of between $12 and $15.

A four per cent tax increase would translate into an additional $77 for the typical homeowner, and five per cent would mean a $97 boost.

With a three per cent tax hike, West Kelowna would be able to staff 19 additional full-time positions, including one extra RCMP officer and eight new firefighters, city administrator Jim Zaffino writes in a report to council.

Managers of all departments where an increase in staffing is proposed were asked Tuesday to explain their hiring rationale to council. Fire Chief Jason Brolund said the department is shortstaffed, with many firefighters having to work overtime to maintain safety levels.

Staffing is below acceptable standards, Brolund said, and on occasion fire halls have had to be closed for lack of manpower.

Adding eight firefighters would bring the department’s complement up to 40.

“We’re ready to conduct the recruitment . . . should council provide the direction to bring these firefighters on board,” Brolund said.

“For the safety of our community, this is absolutely imperative,” said Coun. Carol Zanon, supporting the hiring of the additional firefighters.

Much of the additional revenue that would come with either a four or five per cent tax increase would go into the city’s financial reserves.

An open house will be held Feb. 20 at the Westbank Lions Community Centre to get feedback from the public on the city’s 2019-2028 financial plan. That input will be considered by council before formal adoption of the 2019 budget this spring.