By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG
The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George may approve a 25 per cent increase to the maximum amount of taxes which can be collected to fund the Canoe Valley Recreation Centre in Valemount at their next meeting. The exact amount of taxes that will be collected for the Recreation Centre won’t be determined until early 2025, and the Regional District may not immediately increase taxes up to the 25 per cent limit, according to General Manager of Community and Development Services Kenna Jonkman.
In August, the board of directors gave third reading to a bylaw which would increase the maximum requisition from about $373K to about $467K. This amounts to a maximum of $136.91 in taxes on the average Valemount home, compared to the current maximum of $109.53.
Because a tax increase would affect Valemount residents, the bylaw had to be sent to Valemount Council to receive municipal consent before the Regional District could adopt it. Council approved the bylaw during its October 22nd meeting.
Councillor Pete Pearson asked whether it would be possible for the Regional District to increase the maximum requisition incrementally each year, rather than implementing one large increase after several years.
“Unfortunately, the way the process works is that it’s done every five years,” Pearson said. “But it’s definitely a necessary facility in our community that we need to support people.”
Pearson had similar concerns over the August bylaw increasing the maximum requisition for the Valemount Fire Department, which also allows for a 25 per cent increase.
“I’m wondering: is this going to be the way of the future, where every funding cycle we’ll be requesting 25 per cent?” Pearson said of the fire department requisition increase during a Council meeting on August 13th.
In an email to The Goat, Jonkman said the maximum requisition for the recreation centre has remained the same since 2016.
“The bylaw is being amended so that the Board could authorize requisition increases up to 25 per cent over the next five years,” Jonkman added. “This does not mean that the requisition will be increased 25 per cent in the first year.”
While the maximum possible limit for the requisition may be increased, the actual amount of taxes the Regional District will collect for the recreation centre will not be determined until budget deliberations in January and February 2025, according to Jonkman.
“The Regional District advertises when budget deliberations are and members of the public can participate by providing written comments or addressing the Board in person at the meeting,” Jonkman added.
When asked why the requisition increase is needed, Jonkman said the increase is necessary to allow for sufficient funds. She did not specify whether there are particular infrastructure projects that the money may be used for.
The Regional District has also appointed a Community Consultation Committee for the recreation centre, a group of residents which will make recommendations about the centre’s services to the Regional District. The Committee will have its first meeting on November 7th, according to Jonkman.
“This committee is comprised of residents within the service area. The Regional District is looking forward to working with the Committee,” Jonkman said.
