Kudos for Richard Rolke!Now don’t get me wrong, I understand that taxes are required to provide the services and programs we all demand as residents. But a nine per cent hike in Coldstream is enough to choke a horse.
Of course, officials will lay part of the blame for the increase at the feet of residents and that is fine.
Those of us who voted in 2006 to fund construction of two new fire halls knew it would lead to an increase in taxes. And I can live with that, knowing that emergency services are going to be enhanced.
But with district officials knowing there would be a four per cent hit right off the top for fire halls, why wasn’t there a collective effort to tighten up the rest of the budget? I don’t know how things work in your house, but at mine, some things have to give if there’s a major expense that can’t be avoided.
Obviously municipal staff think all of their projects are vital when they submit items to council for consideration, so the tough job of deciding what stays and what goes is up to the politicians.
Council in Vernon is also going through a budget process, but unlike Coldstream, it is looking at ways of trimming a proposed 5.07 per cent hike in taxes.
“Staff brought it forward and it’s our job to look at the priorities and where to cut,” said Jack Gilroy, a city councillor.
And that’s the way it should be. Staff presents information on what could be addressed for the coming year, and the politicians call the shots. No where in provincial legislation does it say that politicians have to automatically rubber-stamp staff recommendations.
They are allowed to think for themselves. It is also important for Coldstream council not to look at finances in isolation. Granted it is only responsible for the municipal portion of the tax bill, but property owners are responsible for it, Okanagan Regional Library, North Okanagan Regional District, school board and health care. If all of those jurisdictions increase their requisition (and who has ever heard of taxes going down?), the cumulative impact on an individual taxpayer is significant.
On top of this, all properties have seen their assessments climb and that can also have an effect on the bottom line.
There’s also the nickel-and-diming jurisdictions pursue through various fees, including the doubling of some levies related to the cemetery.
Residents may get the impression that the 2008 budget is written in stone, but it’s not.
Provincial legislation doesn’t require municipalities to adopt financial plans until May so there is plenty of time for council and district staff to go back to the drawing board and see if changes can be made.
And not cutting just for the sake of cutting or reducing the limited services available in Coldstream, but scrutinizing the budget and realistically deciding if any expenditures can be deferred.
But for changes to occur, residents may need to apply some pressure to council, either by phoning all seven members directly, or attending a budget open house at the municipal office Jan. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Ultimately, taxes are a fact of life and none of us can avoid them.
But our elected officials and bureaucrats, who benefit financially off those same taxes, should realize that their job is to provide some balance and not force us into the poor house.
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