North Westside residents are facing a considerable hike in taxes.
The Regional District of Central Okanagan’s (RDCO) proposed financial plan includes a 2024 tax requisition increase of $2.8 million or 10.8 per cent.
Because of assessment growth in 2024, the increase for the average residential property owner will be 8.5 per cent.
The impact on each property owner varies depending on where they live and the value of their property.
For the average residential property owner in the Central Okanagan, whose home is assessed at $891,000, their share is $557, an increase of $44 over 2023. This breaks down to $46 a month.
But those living in the North Westside are being hit with the biggest increase.
RDCO projects a 16.5 per cent increase on an average house valued at $548,313 in Central Okanagan West, translating to an extra $168, bringing the total to $1,193 in 2024, up from $1,025 in 2023.
But there’s more, according to the North Westside Communities Association (NWCA).
There’s an extra fee for North Westside residents utilizing community hall, water, or fire services. They face an additional $418, an $87 increase from 2023 ($331), according to the NWCA.
“Water rates across all communities are also expected to rise, with the exact amount undisclosed,” the NWCA report reads.
The group says administrative overhead costs are also skyrocketing, with a proposed $1 million increase in administration departments.
“The North Westside Volunteer Fire Department is hit with an enormous $109,447 administrative overhead fee, up a staggering 177 per cent from 2020 ($39,473).”
The NWCA also points to hidden deficits, cuts to local services and “questionable allocation of Growing Communities Grant.”
The budget will back on the RDCO agenda Feb. 22 for the board meeting.
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