Board Meeting Penticton – Regional District Okanagan – Similkameen

1. 2014 Budget approved calling for a tax requisition district wide of $13, 816,223 an increase of more than a half million dollars. Oliver’s portion : Town up 7.17% Rural Area C up 9.89%

2. Town of Oliver will pay less for Parks and Recreation Services – almost 2% because of changing assessments and the relationship between those of the Rural Area in the joint services. But the figure is substantial = $551,948 for pool, arena, community hall, programs and parks. The amount of funding for the parks and recreation frozen at 2013 levels.

3. Official Community Plan for Area D2 Okanagan Falls approved

3. Operating agreement for Deer Park water and sewer (provided by Osoyoos Indian Band) approved.

4. Regional Board discussed changing some of its procedures on meeting days but finally after some discussion opted to hold the course and not change. Some municipal directors concerned about the subject matter and time consumed on rural matters in which they have no right to vote.

5. A representative of the Okanagan Regional Library made a presentation on costs and needed efficiencies as some communities pay more and get less and some towns get more and pay less. The ORL is working towards eliminating those inequities without major changes in rented facilities or staff changes. Chief Librarian Stephanie Hall told board members it is a difficult job to run a huge region with many locations, different needs and populations.

An independent study (Financial Allocation Model Analysis) pointed to the disparities and Hall says the ORL board of directors will help find the solutions acceptable to the public that ultimately pays the bills. In the RDOS area – 7 persons are sent to the Library board so the RDOS is well represented. Penticton is the only area in the entire region that is not part of the ORL.