by Rachael Lesosky
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Valley Voice
After months of discussion and public engagement sessions, the Regional District of Central Kootenay’s board of directors have finalized the 2024-2028 five-year financial plan.
Taxpayers are looking at an overall average tax increase of 5.8 per cent, but this varies from area to area.
“I want to thank staff and directors for the untold hours and effort in putting this budget together,” said Yev Malloff, chief financial officer. “And the public. We had a very engaged public this year.”
At the start of discussions in January, the RDCK anticipated an overall tax increase of 11.1 per cent, nearly six per cent higher than what was finalized.
“This improvement was achieved due to the diligent efforts of both RDCK staff and directors over the past two months,” said Malloff. “Part of the improvement was also aligning the way we calculate the taxation change with other B.C. local governments.”
Though the 5.8 per cent figure puts the RDCK at the lower end of 2024 regional district taxation increases, explained Malloff, different regional districts face different sets of challenges and opportunities in each year, which influences taxation.
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