The Kelowna RCMP got more than it bargained for going into last week91裸聊视频檚 city budget deliberations.
Residents are now facing a 4.15 per cent tax increase next year largely due to council91裸聊视频檚 approval of 11 new RCMP officers 91裸聊视频� four more than the detachment had requested.
The 2020 provisional budget initially called for a 3.9 per cent tax increase, but the additional $360,000 approved by council to add the extra four Mounties boosted the tax increase to 4.15 per cent.
That increase amounts to $86 a year, or $7.17 per month, for an average single-detached home property tax bill in Kelowna.
City taxes are only one portion of a property tax bill, which also includes other amounts the city collects on behalf of the province, the RDCO, school and library levies.
According to the city91裸聊视频檚 finance director Genelle Davidson, adding the additional police officers will also inflate the 2021 and 2022 tax increases by 0.25 per cent.
The city91裸聊视频檚 projections for both of those budgets predicts tax hikes over five per cent.
Kelowna RCMP Supt. Brent Mundle said six of the 11 new officers would be used as community support officers so police can spend more time on foot in areas that need it.
Four officers will also be allotted for investigative support roles and one will be a school support officer.
The request by RCMP for the additional officers was tabled by Coun. Maxine DeHart.
91裸聊视频淎ll we hear from our residents is, 91裸聊视频楽afety, safety, safety,91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� she said.
91裸聊视频淚 think we should take the plunge91裸聊视频e have to be brave to do these things.91裸聊视频�
Mayor Colin Basran said this is not council trying to solve the city91裸聊视频檚 social issues with more arrests.
91裸聊视频淐ertainly protective service and public safety is something we91裸聊视频檝e heard loud and clear as something that has to be addressed,91裸聊视频� he said.
91裸聊视频淲e are also cognizant of the fact that hiring more officers does not fix our social issues.
91裸聊视频淲e need to continue to advance Journey Home, get people housed and the supports they need, but enforcement is also an important part of a safe community overall.91裸聊视频�
Couns. Loyal Wooldridge, Gail Given and Luke Stack voted against the proposal.
Fourteen safety-related civilian support positions were also added, bringing city91裸聊视频檚 total investment in community safety up to $1.4 million.
91裸聊视频淲e are committed to strong financial management and being accountable to public funds,91裸聊视频� said George King, the city91裸聊视频檚 financial planning manager.
91裸聊视频淐ouncil has approved the provisional budget which prioritizes keeping taxation demand as low as possible while ensuring we keep pace with the cost increases required to maintain existing levels of service and support our rapidly growing community.
91裸聊视频淢ost budget requests, 69 per cent, are funded from sources other than taxation such as fees, reserves and grants.91裸聊视频�
According to the city, taxation generates $5.92 million and accounts for 31 per cent of the needed revenue for 2020.
Going forward, the infrastructure levy will generate $5.6 million annually to help bridge the infrastructure deficit identified in the 10-Year Capital Plan.
91裸聊视频淥ur budget process supports delivering results outlined in council91裸聊视频檚 priorities, as well as advancing the community91裸聊视频檚 Imagine Kelowna vision,91裸聊视频� said King.
91裸聊视频淢aking sure the public feels safe, creating great public spaces, embracing diverse transportation options, supporting innovation and economic resiliency, and protecting our environment by taking action in the face of climate change are all reflected within the 2020 budget.91裸聊视频�
Notable projects confirmed in the budget include the much-anticipated construction of Pandosy Waterfront Park, a potential partnership between the city and school district to replace Parkinson Recreation Centre and $230,000 allotted for planning a multi-year expansion of the Capital News Centre.
The city has until May to finalize the 2020 budget.
READ MORE: City of Kelowna 2020 budget deliberations
READ MORE: Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 2040 community plan is nearing completion
michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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