Parks board sets zero tax increase

Monday, 06 February 2012 00:00

From left, Taylor Toole, Megan Ellis and Bethany Smith busy themselves at the craft table during “Girls Scramble,” a new program at Oliver Parks and Recreation.

Society shaves $9,000 from $1.3 million budget to avoid increase

by Lyonel Doherty

Oliver Parks and Rec took the scalpel and shaved $9,000 from the budget to achieve a zero per cent tax increase.

“In today’s market, you have to be cognizant of the economy,” said manager of recreation Bob Grant.

He noted the board looked at its 2012 provisional budget last week and saw a 1.6 per cent increase. To bring that down to zero, it had to take a close look at the numbers.

“To take off $9,000 from the $1.3 million budget does not really hurt us all that much,” Grant said.

The board decided to do away with its grant writer at a cost of $4,000, agreeing that staff can do that job. (The society didn’t use the grant writer last year.)

Another $1,400 was saved by switching accountants. The board then scrutinized approximately 70 general ledger items in the budget to make up the $9,000.

Grant noted the society has $700,000 in reserves in case it is needed for major purchases or repairs.

In other news, the board elected Shiela Lange as chair and Larry Clarke as vice-chair. Representing School District 53 is trustee Tamela Edwards.

Grant said they hope to appoint a member of the Osoyoos Indian Band as well.

The board is budgeting approximately $4,000 to re-carpet the office this year, and there will be enough carpet left over to do Room 1, too, Grant said.

The Town of Oliver has not adopted its 2012 budget yet, but both Penticton and Kelowna city councils have passed their budgets with zero per cent increases.

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