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After three days of deliberations, Penticton council approved the 2023 budget on Friday with a 9.5% tax increase.
The city says the average homeowner will pay an average of $15 more per month and commercial property owners will see a $58 increase each month.
A few highlights of the budget includes:
The addition of four firefighters and two RCMP officers
A “blueprint” for attainable and affordable housing with an update to the OCP
A $12.6 million investment to repair or replace water, electrical and sewer infrastructure
A $15.2 million investment to advance planning of a new Community Safety Building, recover the soccer bubble, rehabilitate pavement, update tennis courts and add a new fire truck
The city says the budget includes a 3.4% increase to meet operational expectations, inflationary pressures and contractual obligations.
It also includes a proposed 3% increase to meet priorities of council.
The 2023 budget also includes the first year of the tax deferral made by the previous council that is being phased in at 3.3% per year over the next three years.
Council managed to shave off 0.02% of the previously proposed 9.7% increase.
Budget deliberations will not happen again until November, when council meets to discuss the 2024 budget.