Tonight from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Short-Term Rental Public Information Meeting
2025 Budget Highlights for Area F
Here is a link to the 2025 RDOS budget presentation by Deputy CFO Wayne Making on February 12, 2025. For all the documents, refer to the RDOS Regional Connections page. Schedule C contains the Tax Requisition document.
· 2024 Area “F” Tax Requisition: $ 1,688,210
· 2025 Area “F” Tax Requisition: $1,727,218 (2.31% or $39,009 increase)
On average, Area “F” will see a 2.44% ($35.88) increase in property taxes. This average, of course, will also depend on the assessed value of your home. The most significant increase is in Fire Protection for Greater West Bench ($528,354 from $494,153), which only impacts taxes if you live in Greater West Bench. The second largest increase is in Electoral Area Administration ($220,596 from $202,514), affecting all Area “F” citizens. This line item supports many of the RDOS core and essential operations.
Area F Recreation Update
Area F is piloting a one-year project that redirects RDOS Area “F” Recreation funding to other initiatives, such as the invasive species management trial. All Area F citizens, including those from Greater West Bench, Rural Summerland, Red Wing, and North Beach, contribute to Area F Recreation. In the absence of an Area F Community Ce tre, proximity to Summerland and Penticton, and Area F citizens actively pursuing recreation activities that initially attracted them to live in the area (hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking), RDOS Recreation has yet to develop a strong community presence.
However, Area F citizens can still recreate. If you are interested in leading an art class, organizing a walking group, or teaching yoga in the park, that would be welcome. You won’t be able to access RDOS support (i.e., be listed in the RDOS Rec Guide), and you’ll need to ensure you have proper insurance, etc., but these activities are permitted in Area F parks. If a non-profit would like to organize a community-wide event like a movie in the park, please contact me. Area F has funds that can be used to support these types of community-led initiatives. Some of those funds supported the West Bench Elementary pumpkin carving fundraiser last October.
If you are interested in renting West Bench Elementary, here is the link to the district rental website. Please share your thoughts on this pilot, which will be reassessed in 2026. rgettens@rdos.bc.ca
Small-Scale Multi-U it Housing (SSMUH)
If you are registered with VoyentAlert!, you would have received a notification regarding a Zoning Amendment Bylaw for Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH). The province has passed Bill 44 to promote more small-scale, multi-unit housing and has advised local governments to establish a “favourable regulatory environment for SSMUH housing.” RDOS Electoral Area zoning bylaws are already 98% compliant with minimum densities.
As for Area “F” impact, the following information is from the RDOS Planning Manager:
Where a community is subject to hazardous conditions, such as the geotechnical hazards that exist in the Greater West Bench, and allowing the residential densities introduced by the province in 2023 (e.g. a minimum of two dwellings per parcel) would significantly increase the threat or risk from the hazardous condition, and the threat or risk from the hazardous condition cannot be practically mitigated, the affected local government has the ability to apply to the province for an Exemption. The Regional District will seek such an exemption for the Greater West Bench.
The Regional District has been granted an Extension to December 30, 2030, from implementing provincially mandated residential densities within the Faulder Community Water Service Area.
Thanks again for reading. Please contact me if you have any further questions or comments.
Riley
rgettens@rdos.bc.ca or 250-488-0246
Comments