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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2022 | Volume 35 No. 1
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UNSUNG HEROES KTW’s salute to those who go above and beyond for the good of the community. Find stories in this and the Jan. 12 editions of the newspaper Tammy Croissant (second from left) with some friends she and the rest of the team at Stone Soup Collective help nourish on the streets of Kamloops. STONE SOUP COLLECTIVE PHOTO
Hefty hike in assessed values HOMEOWNERS’ EYES MAY HAVE BULGED WHEN SEEING THE FIGURES; AVERAGE VALUE ROSE BY 26 PER CENT SEAN BRADY, JESSICA WALLACE
STAFF REPORTERS
news@kamloopsthisweek.com
Kamloops homeowners are about to receive a shock in the mail when their assessments arrive this week. BC Assessment is reporting an average 26 per cent spike in assessed value for all homes — about quadruple that of last year (six per cent in 2021). The value of single-family homes rose by an average 27 per cent, now averaging $619,000, compared to $488,000 a year ago. Condominiums and townhouses also saw a sizeable spike, rising 21 per cent — up to $346,000 this year from $285,000 in 2021. co-ordinator, conducting outreach The vaue of commercial/ and connecting the homeless with industrial properties rose by social services and housing. an average of 13 per cent. Tammy said it is important “It is market movement,” they have the three volunteers said Tracy Shymko, BC they do because, without the trio, Assessment’s deputy assessor they wouldn’t be able to run the for the Thompson-Okanagan. Collective in conjunction with the “Year-over-year market business they need to operate dur- movement of houses selling ing the day. for anywhere between 25 and 35 per cent more than what See IN SERVING OTHERS, A17 they were the previous year.”
CITY’S STONE SOUP SAVIOURS MICHAEL POTESTIO
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE
michael@kamloopsthisweek.com
A
small group of volunteers is making a big difference in the lives of Kamloops’ homeless population. Since Oct. 1, community food service and outreach group Stone Soup Collective has been delivering
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meals, clothing and survival gear to people living on the streets. The initiative was started by Tammy and Chad Croissant, who own RiverCity Gymnastics in Southgate. The couple is aided by three other volunteers — Angela Ward, who prepares most of the meals, Tyler Brown, their evening outreach worker, and Lori Lavoie, who acts as the Collective’s daytime
7 9 *Offer valid on full day alpine lift tickets of equal value only. Excludes University day tickets. Tickets valid through April 10, 2022, no extensions permitted.
NEED TO KNOW Generally speaking, the amount of a homeowner’s tax hike will be based on where their property’s assessed value increase sits relative to the average increase in assessment, plus whatever property tax hike is coming from the City of Kamloops. Based on preliminary budget discussions, the proposed tax hike in 2022 is just shy of five per cent. In general, if assessments increase overall, the mill (tax) rate will decrease. For example, if a property assessment increase is the same or less than the city’s average assessment increase, that property owner’s taxes should not significantly increase. However, if that property assessment increase is above the average increase in Kamloops, a more substantial property tax hike could be in store. Assessments reflect market value as of July 1, 2021. The trend is being seen across the province. See VALUES, A7