North Shuswap Kicker February 2022

Kickin’ it up with Jay at NorthShuswap.Info

Budget time again, Yee Haa!! In November 2020 I wrote a column about the budget process for Regional Districts. I talked about the way we plan for projects over the next 5 years, potential costs vs time to accomplish vs each Directors needs/wants/desires. I expressed sympathy for CSRD staff in this regard, and still do.

Last year was the first year where Covid was a big part of our lives during budget time and the CSRD as a whole decided to put some projects on the back burner to hopefully reduce tax increases as much as possible. I think we managed that, to the best of our abilities. Well, what do you know, Covid is still with us, some businesses are still shut, or running on a minimum of services. With any luck we’re out of the full-blown lock-downs that we’ve experienced.

One of the unexpected things that Covid has brought us is a change in working arrangements resulting in changes in housing needs. We are all aware of the move from the high-density urban centres to small towns and more rural settings. It’s marvellous that technology has provided us with the ability to make this move, but it has brought its own problems. Have you bought any lumber lately? The lumber price seems to swing in the same direction as Covid waves, up/down round and round. But still, people are renovating, buying lots and houses, and as you are aware, that’s had a significant effect on our property values. We are getting lots of calls about taxes in relation to property values. The easiest way to explain that is that as your assessed value goes up, the mil rate on your tax notices goes down, to keep your taxes roughly the same.

Reality suggests that taxes almost always increase due to inflation, new services, old services needing more time and effort, etc. This year is no different. The CSRD planning department has gone bonkers with applications. New homes, renovations and upgrades, subdivisions in planning stages. I can’t access specific figures right now but applications have gone up something like 60% since last year, and last year went up something like 40% from the year before. And no surprise, bylaw enforcement files have grown significantly over the last few years. I expected that as I’ve had way more calls about possible infringements in 2021 than I’ve had previously. Both these departments are looking for new staff to handle these increases. We’re debating those requirements now, but a planning person is pretty much assured.

Ok, on to something less depressing, or at least more exciting. I’m planning a Town Hall for March 26 at the Celista Hall, 2-4:30 pm. This will be an opportunity for the community to get together with some of the important groups to discuss things coming up in our community. I’m inviting Provincial and CSRD Wildfire Reduction/Firesmart teams to come and make a presentation. I’ve also got invitations out to other Provincial and local groups who have new programs coming up. I’ll give you more information in the March Kicker. For now, please note that all Covid rules in effect on March 26th will be followed.

Well, that’s it for now. The Kicker tells me I’m late again and they’re running out of space. Please contact me if you have questions or comments.

Jay Simpson JSimpson@csrd.bc.ca 250-517-9578 Web&FB: NorthShuswap.Info