Vernon residents will continue to be taxed specifically for infrastructure upgrades.
Council has approved the continuation of the 1.9 per cent infrastructure levy for 2017 to fund the capital plan.
“The infrastructure tax was a 10-year plan to address our infrastructure deficit,” said Coun. Bob Spiers.
“We are now in the fifth year of this plan. I will continue to support it each year until we reach our original monetary target.”
Spiers speculates that tax shifting and growth may lead to the target being met before 2022.
Council recently supported the $13 million capital budget that will renew roads, pipes and other infrastructure in 2017.
In a related matter, council has given three readings to the 2017 budget, including a 3.6 per cent tax increase.
Final adoption of the budget is anticipated Jan. 9.
Sewer funding sought
The City of Vernon hopes big bucks will allow sewer services to be expanded.
The city will pursue a federal/provincial grant for sewer in Okanagan Landing.
“We’re cautiously optimistic we’ll get this money and move forward with the project,” said Mark Dowhaniuk, infrastructure management manager.
The proposed cost of the project is $3.6 million and federal/provincial grants could amount to $3 million.
“Receiving funding would allow extension of the city’s sanitary sewer system to several high risk neighbourhoods in the Okanagan Landing area,” said Dowhaniuk.