RDCK to host public budget consultation meetings
February 22, 2023
Nelson, BC: Over the next three weeks, the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) will be hosting public budget consultation meetings for all its Municipalities and Electoral Areas. The RDCK invites the public to provide input into the development of the 2023-2027 RDCK Financial Plan. All meetings will be hybrid (in person or online) with the exception of the meeting in New Denver, Silverton, Slocan & Area H, which will be online only.
This is your opportunity to connect with RDCK Directors and staff, ask questions, find out about projects and initiatives happening in your area, and provide feedback.
At the Special Board Meeting on Friday, February 17 a draft of the 2023-2027 Financial Plan was provided to the Board. The latest projection is an 11 to 12% average increase in taxes for RDCK residents, although this is highly variable depending on the area or municipality the resident lives in. The range across the areas is from about a 5% to 24% increase. The Castlegar and District Community Complex arena floor repair, estimated at $1.5 million, is driving the large increase in Castlegar and the surrounding areas. Increases in fire protection service costs are also contributing to some of the more substantial increases. Some of the change in taxation is also driven by shifts in assessment.
“Inflation and supply chain issues will continue to be a challenge in all services in 2023,” said Yev Malloff, RDCK Chief Financial Officer. “Prices on most goods and services that the RDCK purchases have increased substantially over the last three years and short term borrowing costs are also up significantly with an up to 4% increase in annual interest rates. The budget includes a salary increase of 4.4% for staff. Last week, the Board approved several new staff positions for 2023 to bolster areas where we are most at risk of negative impacts to service delivery as current staff are unreasonably stretched. Several of the new positions come with the provision that the wage costs be covered by increases in user/permit fees, rather than taxation. We are continuing to pursue opportunities to reduce purchase costs by taking advantage of local and provincial government group procurement agreements.”
Here is the complete schedule of RDCK Public Budget Meetings
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Sub Region |
Date and Time (Local) |
Location |
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Wednesday, February 22 6:00 pm PST (hybrid) |
Kaslo Village Chambers, 413 4th Street |
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Thursday, February 23 7:00 pm PST (hybrid) |
RDCK Board Room, 202 Lakeside Drive |
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Monday, February 27 7:00 pm PST (hybrid) |
Castlegar & District Community Complex, 2101 6th Avenue |
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Tuesday, February 28 6:00 pm PST (hybrid) |
Salmo Village Chambers, 423 Davies Avenue |
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Wednesday, March 1 5:30 pm MST (hybrid) |
Riondel Community Centre, 1417-1421 Eastman Avenue |
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Thursday, March 2 9:00 am MST (hybrid) |
Creston & District Community Complex, 312 19th Avenue North |
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Monday, March 6 7:00 pm PST (hybrid) |
Nakusp Emergency Services Building, 300 8th Avenue NW |
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Monday, March 13 7:00 pm PST (virtual) |
Online only |
*Click on the highlighted link to join the meeting virtually
Click here to view a print-friendly PDF version.
The content on this page was last updated February 22 2023 at 7:35 AM