Peachland council has settled on a 7.74 per cent property tax increase for the district害羞草研究所檚 2024 provisional budget.

It equates to $10 a month for the average single-family home valued at $902,700.

害羞草研究所淲e started at a double-digit figure (17 per cent) and we pared it down,害羞草研究所� said Garry Filafilo, chief financial officer for the District of Peachland.

Staff had originally reduced the tax hike to just over six per cent, however, council approved a contribution of $100,000 to general reserves resulting in an 1.6 per cent increase in the final tax demand.

Coun. Doug Collins voted against the contribution but voted with the rest of council in approving the provisional budget.

Approximately 45 per cent of the district害羞草研究所檚 revenue comes from property taxation.

There was much discussion among councillors over the funding of reserves.

害羞草研究所淚 think we should have an 1.5 to 2.0 per cent increase each year just to fill our reserves in the next 10 to 20 years,害羞草研究所� said Mayor Patrick Van Minsel.

He added if that doesn害羞草研究所檛 happen, Peachland may find itself in the same position many municipalities are facing with tax increases of 17 to 30 per cent and higher.

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The $100,000 will be contributed to general reserves every year starting in 2024.

Priority projects for council next year include improvements to Turner Park ($750,000), road upgrades ($600,000), an interim multi-use pathway extension from 13th Street to Todds Road ($100,000), and boat launch works at the dog beach ($79,200) to be funded through grants.

Also approved, through the provincial Growing Communities Fund, was $200,000 for outdoor pickleball courts (with matching funds from Peachland Pickleball Society), $25,000 for firefighting equipment, and $17,500 for increased maintenance at Turner Park.

Van Minsel told council he has informed community groups to expect less money when requesting civic grants.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e pretty much informed most of them that during the next three years this will be, not phased out, but minimized. It helps our clubs to be more self-sufficient.害羞草研究所�

Civic grants in the 2024 budget total $75,275.

The public will have an opportunity to provide input on the provisional budget in February.

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