Vernon council's special budget meeting at Vernon City Hall. (Liam Verster/Vernon Matters photo)

By Liam Verster

Lower recreation costs

Vernon’s proposed tax hike lowered due to new fee agreement

Dec 4, 2023 | 10:10 AM

Vernon City Council is projecting a tax increase lower than previously thought for 2024.

As a fee for service agreement for recreation services has been made between Vernon, the District of Coldstream, and Regional District of North Okanagan Areas B and C, the impact on taxpayers in the city has declined.

At the special budget meeting Monday, Dec. 4, council learned the three partners would cover 35 per cent or of the rec services total for 2024. The 2024 base funding for operating Vernon Recreation Services is $4,247,665, and through the agreement, Coldstream will provide $722,103; Area B will contribute $369,547, and Area C will cover $365,299.

With those contributions in place, the total tax increase would be brought down for the three proposed budget scenarios.

The first scenario, which would see all service level adjustment recommendations accepted, would result in a 6.39 per cent hike. That was down from the previous formula that proposed a 7.41 per cent increase.

Possible firearm involved

One person apprehended in connection with suspicious activity in Coldstream

Dec 13, 2025

Fatal Collision, Highway Closed

One person dead in crash near Revelstoke

Dec 13, 2025

Salaries

Vernon Council to discuss lesser pay increases

Dec 12, 2025

The second scenario, which funds all requests with the exception of two new RCMP members, would be a 5.49 per cent increase, down from the previously reported 6.51 per cent.

The third scenario, which would be the same as scenario two but would also find a transit agreement through reserves, would result in a 5.11 per cent tax increase in 2024. That would be down from the previously proposed 6.12 per cent hike.

The meeting is scheduled for all day Monday, with public input opportunities at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

More details to come.