Vernon City Hall (file photo/Vernon Matters Staff)

By Pete McIntyre

special meetings

Vernon council to discuss 2024 budget which could see 7.8% tax hike

Dec 4, 2023 | 5:00 AM

Vernon city council members will be discussing what’s in — and what’s out — of the city’s 2024 budget at special meetings this week.

The meetings will take place Monday and Tuesday (Dec. 4-5), starting at 9:00 a.m. both days and they are open to the public.

Monday’s agenda will see city department heads, such as the RCMP, Fire Rescue Services and Recreation Services, presenting their funding wish lists for next year.

The meetings will be held in council chambers at City Hall, with the public given a chance for in-person input on Monday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

City staff are recommending a tax increase in the range of 6.5 to 7.8 per cent for 2024 to account for inflation and to match service levels with population growth.

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Staff are suggesting council support a 3.46 per cent increase for operations, 0.54 per cent for the capital levy, a 1.31 per cent to account for pre-approved service level adjustments, and a one-time change for recreation, amounting to $1.2 million and equating to a 2.48 per cent increase.

To view the proposed 2024–2028 financial plan and to learn more about the city’s budget process, visit www.vernon.ca/budgetprocess.

Council meetings can be viewed online by visiting www.vernon.ca/council-video.