Some of our image-laden pages may load more slowly depending on your internet service. Patience if they don't display immediately. You'll be glad you waited.

South Okanagan Photos

Cost of running Town of Osoyoos – going up by nearly 4%

Cost to average Single Family Residence with an assessment of $352,862 in 2017
vs an average assessment of $334,996 in 2016


• Budget is being presented to Council with a 3.90% increase to Property Taxes. This is an increase of $90,702 in tax based revenue, new construction property taxation is $40,545.

o 0.43% to increase grant in aid funding
o 1.56% to offset increase in net operating costs
o 1.91% to increase police reserve fund

• The Town of Osoyoos will begin paying for Policing costs at 70% due to the last census putting the Town of Osoyoos over the 5,000 population threshold. The estimated annual RCMP costs is $953,407, in which the Town will become responsible in April 1 of 2017 and will pay 75% of these costs being $715,055, this is an increase from $367,566 paid in 2016.

• Debt Payments for the Fire Hall will start in 2017 as borrowing will take place in the spring of 2017. This is paid for by the Town of Osoyoos, Osoyoos Rural Fire Protection District and the Osoyoos Indian Band.

• Salaries and Wages overall budget has increased by $179,900

o Janitorial services for civic building now being done by CUPE.
o Parks washrooms now being done by CUPE.
o Landfill Weigh Scale is now being operated by CUPE.
o One Salaried Employee in Finance that started in June 2016 is fully budgeted for in 2017.
o Reduction of one part time water ambassador $20,000
o Increase of 1.75% to wages and 0.25% to overhead.

Garbage and Recycling Fees proposed to increase 2.5% to $130.10 from $126.93. This increase is to account for the TCPI increase to the Garbage and Recycling Collection contract, with some subsidization from MMBC revenues.

Sewer Rates proposed to increase by $3.57 annuallyfora single family residence. The annual cost fora Single family residence will increase to $241.44 (1.50%) in the Town and $334.44 (1.08%) in Area A. This is a $20,400 increase in revenues and is needed to maintain the same level of funding available for capital projects.

Water Rates proposed to increase by $1.54 annually fora single family residence to $335.54. 0.46% to other water rates. This is a $7,000 increase in revenues and is needed to increase the funding available for capital projects. The water fees for a Town property is comprised of the User fee $335.54 plus the parcel tax of $60.00 =$395.54. Water District proposed to increase by $11.52 annually fora single family residence to $395.52, 3.00% to other water district rates including irrigation rates. This is a $15,800 increase in revenues and is needed to increase the funding available for capital projects.

Significant Operating Expenditure Increases/Decreases
o Policing costs increased by $327,489.
o Wages and Benefits increased by $179,900 to $3,330,250.