Residents and other landowners in the South Cariboo will have an opportunity to find out and provide feedback on where their property tax dollars will be spent this year.
The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) 2013 provisional budgets and business plans will be presented at a consultation meeting at Creekside Seniors Activity Centre Jan. 30, starting at 7 p.m.
The Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) 2013 budgets and business plans will also be presented.
CRD chair Al Richmond says it is looking at a budget reduction to provide services this year.
“The board tried to target a zero per cent increase. For new and improved services ... we've managed to come into a 1.3 per cent decrease in costs [from] last year.
“We'll try and break it down for folks at the meeting, as to the areas they're particularly interested in.”
This is the last chance for residents to provide their input before the budgets are adopted by the board March 22.
Some of the areas slated for changes this year in the dozens of CRD functions include the South Cariboo Regional Airport, South Cariboo Recreation, South Cariboo Solid Waste, Horse Lake Water System and Invasive Plant Management.
“We're seeing a benefit because of the reduction in the repayment down in our library debt, so we're seeing a reduction in our budget, and we're able to do some work.”
The presentation will also reveal the property tax rates per $100,000 of assessed value for each function.
The many budget components also include plans for community halls and street-lighting projects.
The 2013 Financial Plan update will be presented, as well as what Grants for Assistance are in the budget and a list of potential energy-efficiency and clean-water projects for the Community Works Fund (CWF).
Richmond notes the latter includes some capital funds for the South Cariboo Solid Waste function, with planned road improvements to the gravel surface leading the 100 Mile House Landfill.
It may also support pilot projects at Forest Grove and Lone Butte transfer stations and gated access at Interlakes and Watch Lake landfills, but he explains that is providing those go forward.
Both the CWF and the CRD budget function this year also include some capital funding for fire halls, Richmond adds.
Some fire departments have exhibited “a real need,” he explains, including buying newer trucks.
“The CRD finance committee reviewed the potential for capital expenditures, in particular, replacing equipment.”
Any taxation for certain functions, such as recreation, fire departments and water systems, affects only properties in the area involved, he notes.
Visit the CRD website at www.cariboord.bc.ca for more information, or to download the budgets from the links on the Dec. 14 regular board agendas (under What's New), item 21.6.
In a new twist to the CRD's method for public input and suggestions, traditional town-hall meetings will take place at the start of the budget process in the fall, followed by these consultation meetings early in the year.