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November 30, 2023 - 2:30 PM
As property owners brace for what could be a nearly 11% tax hike in Kamloops next year, the city is looking to the public for feedback tonight.
The in-person event is open to all residents who have input or questions about the upcoming budget.
A 10.8% tax increase is on the table in early budget discussions, while city council is yet to consider any additional projects it wants to fund for 2024.
Mayor and council voted to take its first step in going ahead with the budget changes on Nov. 28, but they will hear from the public before it gets final approval. Both members of council and city administration staff will attend.
City corporate services director David Hallinan pitched the new budget request to council, pointing out the tax hike is largely due to staff salary increases and high inflation over the past year.
Most of the tax increase comes from a $13.2 million increase in the budget that will be used to fund regular city business and previously approved projects. That amounts to a 9.8% growth to the budget. Council approved an additional 1% increase, or $1.35 million, which will fund the Build Kamloops initiative.
Councillors lamented the need to property raise taxes but so far have made no changes to lessen the burden on taxpayers.
Hallinan said there are several other BC cities facing similar tax hikes after post-COVID inflation. Mission and Saanich, for example, are facing a 9% and 8% tax increase, respectively. Osoyoos is even considering an exceptionally high tax increase of 47%.
Budget consultation with the public starts tonight, Nov. 30. Doors open to the Kia Lounge at Sandman Centre this evening for a two-hour event from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Go here to read the full budget report.
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