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Homeowners in Osoyoos could be paying out an extra $76.74 to the town next year.
Most of that increase is due to a new levy, starting in 2017, to pay off the town's debt for the firehall. The borrowing was OK'd in a 2014 public referendum and is expected to cost the average household $42.68 next year, according to city staff.
The draft budget also proposes a 3.18 per cent hike in property taxes – meaning a $17.30 hike to homeowners living in an average home valued at approximately $334,000.
About a third of the hike is due to increased operating costs.
One of the most significant is a $179,000 bump in staff wages and salaries – up to a total of $3.3 million – with several of the jobs now being performed by CUPE workers. A new full-time employee will also be added to the finance department.
On top of the increase to property taxes, homeowners will be paying out extra for sewer ($3.57), water ($10.02) and garbage and recycling ($3.17).
In all, the increased bill to Osoyoos homeowners will result in an average bill of $1,380.75, increasing revenues for the town by 5.35 per cent.
