Whereas regional districts are not taxing authorities and not able to change the tax multipliers, unlike municipalities that are allowed to adjust to swings in assessments between residential and business classes; And whereas municipalities are able to change the multiplier which creates a consistency in taxes from year to year, while regional districts are not; And whereas the taxpayers within a regional district are charged by the Province a 5.25 collection fee, which for the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is over 900,000: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Ministry to allow regional districts, at their discretion, to become a taxing authority.
Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs As taxing authorities, municipalities, and the Province have responsibilities that are for more than solely levying taxes. They also have the responsibility of, and incur cost for communicating with property owners about outstanding property taxes and completing tax sales or forfeiture processes to ensure the recovery of property tax revenue. Municipalities must also deliberate and set tax rates and justify their tax policy in the annual financial plan bylaw. The Province distributes tax notices in rural areas for its own property tax collection. The legislation for regional districts relieves them of this burden for each service that has been established. Note however that a regional district has some authority, with approval of the Inspector, to create a variable rate taxation system for certain classes for specified years and services under section 390 of the Local Government Act.