Stormwater fee input sought

Photo: Contributed

The City of Penticton is hosting a pair of focus groups to gather input as it develops its new stormwater fund.

Currently, work on the city’s stormwater system is funded by a general fund, putting projects in contention with other city priorities.

This year, property owners will see a portion of their property taxes reassigned to a stormwater fee. The new fund will be phased in over the next seven years to provide the city with $2.5M in funding a year to maintain its stormwater system as well as creek restoration.

The city is still determining how the fees will be distributed among property owners.

“The two options being considered include a flat fee that would be assigned equally amongst property owners regardless of property type and a tiered fee that would assign a higher fee to commercial and industrial properties and a lower fee for smaller residential units such as condos or duplexes,” a city news release reads.

In both cases, the proposed fee for a single-family home is the same.

The focus groups are running Feb. 7 and 8 between 5 and 7 p.m. at 249 Westminster Ave.

The sessions will include a structured presentation and discussion. Feedback will be presented to council in March.