The results from Citizen Budget — the online tool the City of Rossland used to engage residents on the upcoming budget — were released to the public at the end of last month and show that overall respondents supported a 1.2 per cent increase to the budget.
A total of 121 people participated in the process and the average property assessment of those who entered one was $331,880. Most had lived in Rossland for 10 years or more, 36 per cent were over 55 years old, 32 per cent were between 35 and 44 years old and the large majority (97 per cent) were local owners.
Community Support
Results showed support for a 2.2 per cent increase in tax dollar allocation with more allocated to the Rossland Public Library, the Kootenay Columbia Trails Society (KCTS), Winter Carnival, and the Rossland Council for Arts and Culture (RCAC).
Recreation and Culture
Results showed support for a 2.3 per cent decrease in tax dollar allocation with more allocated to Seniors’ Hall, the Rossland Public Library, and parks, downtown and trails.
Environmental Health
Results showed that no change needed to be made to the tax dollar allocation.
Protective Services
Results showed support for a 4.7 per cent decrease in tax dollar allocation. Of the three main departments of protective services — bylaw enforcement, animal control and building inspection — bylaw enforcement “is deemed to be [the] most significant area to decrease tax dollars.”
Transportation and Public Works
Results showed support for a 1.0 per cent decrease in tax dollar allocation with less allocated toward lighting and admin, customer service and request response, and more allocated to fleet and equipment maintenance, roads and sidewalk maintenance and winter roads and sidewalks, snow clearing and removal.
Capital Renewal and Replacement
Results showed support for a 2.0 per cent increase in tax dollar allocation and 77 per cent of respondents wanted to see a separate line on the property tax notice for capital renewal.
