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Osoyoos residents are getting hit with massive tax increases, totalling more than $1,500 per year for some residents.

Osoyoos town council approved the 2024-2028 budget, passing a property tax increase of more than 37 per cent and user fees for water, sewer, and garbage totaling more than a 110 per cent increase.

“We are in an unavoidable situation that will result in scrutiny from our residents and businesses,” the town said in the financial plan.

Property taxes for an average $720,535 home is going up from $784 to $1,080, a $295 increase.

Sewer user fees are going up from $379 to $824, and water fees are going up from $459 to $1,133.

Between increases in property taxes and utility fees, residents in Osoyoos will be paying approximately an additional $1,514 per year.

Osoyoos has been operating with a tax discount of roughly $800 for the past several years which the town now needs to recoup in order to fix the failing infrastructure.

“Unfortunately, this now means our taxes and utilities will need to increase to well above what the average single-family dwelling pays within the region to make up for the difference,” the town said in the financial plan.

The major increases in water and sewer fees are because of failing infrastructure.

The town needs to replace sewer lines, wastewater pumps as well as implement odour control in the wastewater treatment plant. In the spring of 2023 there was a problem with one of the wastewater treatment cells causing an odour in the surrounding area.

The problem in the treatment plant was likely caused by a buildup of sludge in the plant. The town’s budget says the regular maintenance and desludging of the wastewater plant has not happened for the past ten years, and fixing this problem will cost $2.9 million. The town’s project report does not say why the plant was not maintained properly for the last decade.

The state of Osoyoos’ infrastructure is a problem, but the town claims its plan will fix it.

“The current financial situation is not conducive to a sustainable municipality. However, plans currently in place and those that are being completed over the next two years will provide a framework that will provide the required replacement and maintenance of our infrastructure,” the financial plan says.

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News from © iNFOnews, 2023