An extended process of deliberation, review and public consultation kicked off in a big way this afternoon as the Regional Board gave first reading to a proposed 2014 operating budget bylaw.

“The Board has had several looks at the budget, especially at new services and program changes suggested by our administrative team,” said Board Chair Mark Pendergraft.

“Beginning today, we really get down to work building a budget that is fiscally responsible while providing services our ratepayers require.”

The budget document is formally known as the 2014-2018 Five Year Financial Plan.

The aggregate operating budget — including shared regional and non-shareable area-specific expenses — totals $27.7 million. Shared regional expenses are down .35% to $4.8 million. Area-specific expenses increased 0.68% to $22.9 million.

To cover expenses, the Regional District is proposing a tax requisition for all services of just over $13.9 million, a 4.85% increase from 2013. Requisitions are collected from the Regional District’s eight electoral areas, six member municipalities and the Penticton Indian Band.

Ratepayers, however, could see a different increase in their tax requisition, said Finance Manager Sandy Croteau.

“The budget is made up of 135 individual services with different taxpayers involved in different services so that 4.85% increase does not necessarily represent individual taxpayer increases,” she said.

“What an individual taxpayer will pay is determined by the services in which they participate. In some cases, that amount will be less than 4.85%”

An additional $13.8 million in revenue is budgeted to be collected in user-pay fees, grant funding and other sources.

The budget will now be delivered to residents and stakeholders through a series of public consultations held throughout the Regional District in January and February. Budget documents will also available for review on the RDOS website.