SHELTER BREAK-IN | Staff at SPCA in Vernon puzzled following weekend invasion and vandalism [A5]
Morning gStar
The
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013
P R O U D L Y
Clock is ticking for campaign
S E R V I N G
O U R
N O R T H
w w w. v e r n o n m o r n i n g s t a r. c o m
O K A N A G A N
C O M M U N I T I E S
F O R
O V E R
2 0
Y E A R S
FASHION STATEMENT
RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
GLENN MITCHELL/MORNING STAR
Shania Coombs, left, and Carla Kortzman model the latest in safety wear from Surplus Herby’s at the Fulton Grad 2014 Fashion Show at the school. The recent fundraiser drew an enthusiastic crowd to the small gym and featured fashions from numerous local businesses. See A4 for more photos.
Draft budget targeting tax hike RICHARD ROLKE
“We continue to get our fiscal house in order.”
Morning Star Staff
Vernon residents can expect to pay more in taxes while some city staff are losing their jobs. The draft 2014 budget, which was presented to council Monday, includes staff reductions and a top-end tax hike of 3.7 per cent. “We continue to get our fiscal house in order,” said Will Pearce, chief administrative officer. The 3.7 per cent tax hike is based on 1.8 per cent for operations and 1.9 per cent for infrastructure. However, Pearce cautions that 3.7 per cent — or $31 for the typical home — is just a starting point and that number could be reduced as deliberations continue. Full-time equivalent city employees will go from 249.8 in 2013 to 246.6 in 2014. The loss includes a bylaw compliance offi-
MONEY TREE!!
— Will Pearce
cer, a corporate services worker, a building inspector and three positions in parks (two are currently vacant). But a parks planner position has been created while an economic development planner is being hired. Council will discuss the budget during workshops from Jan. 15 to 17 and then three readings for the budget bylaw are expected Jan. 27. Mayor Rob Sawatzky says the draft plan is consistent with council’s directions and he
2013 F150 XLT SUPERCREW 4X4 REBATE IS BACK!
MSPR $44,599 ECOBOOST
WIN 500 $29,999 $380 UP TO
$
SALE PRICE
WITH PURCHASE OF ANY NEW OR USED VEHICLE!
WATKIN MOTORS
OR
LEASE ME FOR
STK# 3L296
isn’t sure if there can be much movement from a 3.7 per cent tax increase. “There’s been a lot of work in the last year to bring things in tightly,” he said. Coun. Bob Spiers will be spending the next few weeks going over the budget proposal in detail. “I would always like to see it come down,” he said of a tax increase. “If we can get more reductions, why shouldn’t we?” The 2014 budget will reflect the fact that the city is taking over parks and recreation services from the Regional District of North Okanagan. “Vernon property owners will see a dramatic increase in local property tax rates, in the order of 18 to 20 per cent. This should be offset by an equally significant reduction in regional district requisition. It should be very near a wash,” said Pearce. SALE PRICES INCLUDE ALL INCENTIVES ASSIGNED TO DEALER INCLUDING COSTCO REBATES. PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE TAXES OR $395.00 DOC FEE. LEASES ARE BASED ON LOW KM (20,000KM/YR) RED CARPET LEASE WITH 0 DOWN PAYMENT. PAYMENTS DO NOT INCLUDE TAXES OR OTHER COSTS DUE AT SIGNING. SEE A WATKIN MOTORS SALESPERSON FOR DETAILS.
DLR. #6076
The bells aren’t ringing as loudly as they could. The Vernon Salvation Army’s kettle and mail-out campaign has raised $215,000, just 47 per cent of its $461,000 goal. “We have just a short period of time left in the campaign,” said David MacBain, community ministries director. “We would like to raise the funds before Christmas.” All of the money goes towards opera- David MacBain tion of the food bank as well as other initiatives that help residents in need. “We want to improve our programming and give more to people so it’s concerning,” said MacBain of the current situation. MacBain is reluctant to speculate as to why contributions are down. “My hope is people are busy with their lives and haven’t got around to making their donation yet,” he said. About 730 applications have been received so far for Christmas food hampers, down from the expected 800. MacBain says fewer applications may be a sign of the economy improving but he believes there’s still a number of people who are struggling to make ends meet. “We want to make sure we don’t miss anyone.” Anyone wanting to donate to the Salvation Army can go to vernonbcfoodbank.com or stop by the Salvation Army thrift stores, the food bank at 3303 32nd Ave. or the Talkin Donkey coffee house.
4602 - 27 ST, VERNON | SALES • LEASING • PARTS • SERVICE 250-545-0611 • 1-800-736-1944 • WATKINMOTORS.COM