A house under construction in Clifton Road area of Kelowna.

(JOHN MCDONALD / iNFOnews.ca)

CENTRAL OKANAGAN - The first draft of the Central Okanagan Regional District financial plan is in and residents still have a chance to make their comments heard.

The 2018 operating budget comes in at $65.75 million, nearly 41 per cent of which is financed by Municipal Finance Authority on behalf of the municipalities.

Growth and assessment increases in the Kelowna area have caused a shift of some existing taxation between areas, resulting in an increase in taxes to Kelowna rather than a decrease.

Based on the draft budget the average home in Kelowna would see an increase of $2.74 in the regional district line on the property tax bill while the average home in West Kelowna will be down by $0.06.

Peachland will see an increase of $0.19.

Lake Country is expected to decrease by $2.53.

Central Okanagan East is to go down $1.53 and Central Okanagan West down $31.86.

Each municipal area, participates in 18 to 20 general Regional District of Central Okanagan services including Regional Rescue (Emergency Management), 9-1-1, Regional Parks, Okanagan Basin Water Board, Economic Development and Dog Control.

The total cost per average home for this basket of services ranges from $181 in Kelowna to $206 in Peachland ($200 for Lake Country/$196 West Kelowna).

The electoral areas participate in 28 general services each.

The draft budget suggests total taxes per house in Central Okanagan East are $475 and $493 for Central Okanagan West.

Taxes can vary further depending whether a property receives additional local services from the regional district such as fire or participation in a community hall.

There are two more opportunities for residents to share their comments about the Regional District of Central Okanagan 2018–2022 Financial Plan.

Residents can comment on the draft financial plan during the public meeting on Thursday, March 8 starting at 8:30 a.m.

A final opportunity will be provided during the public Regional Board meeting at 7:00 p.m. Monday, March 26 prior to final consideration and adoption of the 2018–2022 Financial Plan bylaw.

Each meeting will be held in the Woodhaven Boardroom at the Regional District office, 1450 KLO Road in Kelowna.

You can view all the Financial Plan documentation and presentations by clicking here.

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