Council Report

Mayor Ron Hovanes says Town Council will hold the line again in 2013 with a %ZERO tax increase with many projects to be completed.

At a budget meeting Monday, Council affirmed it will change the business to residential multiplier to the the provincial standard used in all rural areas and that will give commercial landowners a break – but at the same time insure that all homeowners have a %Zero general budget increase.

The multiplier rate will be 2.45 and this will be frozen in future years not withstanding changes in assessments between the various tax categories.

Council will also establish a Roadwork Reserve allowing the town to finance pavement work over future years in a planned way as the reserve grows and is maintained.

Council has hired Paul Dumoret as a part-time Manager of the airport and contracted the work necessary for the completion of a Oliver Airport Operations Manual – the two items will cost $26000. Planning for airport infrastructure will be done as well as a new taxiway way if a grant can be found to pay half the cost.

Oliver’s Fire Department will purchase a used bucket truck for aerial work and a new crew-cab forestry fire truck for use in remote areas. The OFD has a large rural area to look after including most of the Osoyoos Indian Band land.

The Town will complete projects on the Historic CPR building and Town Hall to have them conform to current building envelope and fire protection systems.

Other buildings owned by the Town will be worked on as well including the Community Services Building and a new entrance of the Council Chamber/Dr. Offices on Kootenay Street.

The long awaited paved hike and bike trail on the east side of the river will be completed in the spring.

Signage on Main Street informing of businesses a block up or down will be completed.

The Town has now taken the first step towards a bylaw that will allow tax exemptions for new construction in three main zones, airport, downtown, and areas where multiple house are considered a priority. The exemption would not be for land taxes but for newly created improvements and renovations. The exemptions could last for ten years.

This move is yet another item in a tool kit to attract businesses/hotel in our area to expand and innovate while creating employment.

Staff will now bring before council a tax rates bylaw and a complete package that will show how rates times assessment add up to the revenue needed to operate government services along with previously agreed upon utility rates for sewer and water.

Councillor Linda Larson remarked that all of what has been accomplished has been done without depleting reserves.

Council Dave Mattes said it shows that Town can hold the line while doing many projects and making a lot of progress for the taxpayers in Oliver.