Summerland91裸聊视频檚 council has given first three readings to its financial plan bylaw.

The plan calls for a property tax increase of 7.25 per cent, a garbage and recycling rate increase of 6.17 per cent, a water rate increase of seven per cent, a sewer rate increase of 8.08 per cent and electrical rate increases of 5.66 per cent.

For a typical residential home in the community with an assessment of $878,808, the changes will mean an overall cost of $5,741 in 2025, up from $5,391 in 2024.

This is a difference of $350 for the year, or $29.26 a month.

The property tax bill alone will increase from $1,982 in 2024 to $2,112 in 2025. This is an increase of $130 for the year, or $10.83 a month, David Svetlichny, director of finance, said in a report to council.

The financial plan has gone through an extensive process, including several council meetings in October and December 2024.

A budget open house was then held on Jan. 15.

Under provincial legislation, the deadline for the financial plan and tax rates is May 15.

However, the proposal met with some opposition.

Amie Harbor of the Summerland Society for Civic Engagement asked that council not pass the three readings of the bylaw. Instead, she asked council to consider cost savings.

She said parks maintenance includes $100,000 for work at Powell Beach alone. Summerland Transit costs $282,500 a year, or $785 a day, she said. The number of staff earning more than $75,000 rose from 45 in 2021 to 64 in 2023. The municipality91裸聊视频檚 compost project costs rose from $86,000 in 2022 to $261,000 in 2025, she said.

Harbor suggested council defer approval of the financial plan and instead spend time gathering information on savings. 91裸聊视频淭he level of taxation is going up too high,91裸聊视频� she said.

Coun. Doug Patan said Harbor91裸聊视频檚 proposal is the first time in his six years of council that people have said they would be willing to have service cuts in order to get tax relief. 

91裸聊视频淗ow deep do the citizens want service cuts?91裸聊视频� he asked. 91裸聊视频淚f the service cuts happen, it is something that would affect all our citizens in Summerland.91裸聊视频�

Coun Adrienne Betts said Harbor91裸聊视频檚 request is not about finding efficiencies in the budget but in making changes to programs and services. She added that cuts to services do not come in the short term.

Coun. Richard Barkwill said Summerland council went through a long process to study the budget in detail and come up with the present financial plan. He added that the time to speak about potential cuts is when council is discussing the budget rather than when the financial plan has been completed.

Coun. Janet Peake thanked Harbor for her comments. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 wonderful to hear from more of our residents,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淲e do look at opportunities for change.91裸聊视频�

Mayor Doug Holmes said the first version of the budget called for a tax increase of 18.41 per cent. Then, municipal staff reworked it to a 9.27 per cent increase. After council91裸聊视频檚 input, a 7.25 per cent increase was set. 

91裸聊视频淲e did a lot of cuts this year. If we want to cut further, we91裸聊视频檙e going to have to cut service levels,91裸聊视频� he said.

He added that cutting service levels could affect those who are the most vulnerable in the community.

Barkwill noted that some of the costs for the municipality have gone up significantly, affecting the budget figures. Holmes added that the policy for awarding provincial grants has also changed, affecting the amount of money the municipality can receive for projects.

The first three readings of the financial plan bylaw were carried unanimously. Council must next adopt the plan.