The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Board of Directors has adopted its 2025-2029 Financial Plan.

“Every year we make a conscious effort to bring forward a budget that supports service levels and capital projects while minimizing the impact on taxpayers. We recognize the continued importance of finding this balance this year on the heels of inflation and rising costs,” said RDEK Vice Chair Susan Clovechok. “Everyone from the staff level to the board level has worked diligently to find that balance and I’m proud of the final result.”

The 2025 operating budget totals $46.4 million, which results in an increase of $24 on an average $596,000 residential assessment across the region.

“It is important to remember that there is a difference between the numbers in the budget and the effect those numbers will have on individual tax rates. The RDEK offers over 100 different services, and residents will be affected differently, depending on the municipality or electoral area in which they live,” added Clovechok, Electoral Area F Director.

The Financial Plan includes $12 million in capital expenditures for 2025 for projects such as the final completion of the Cold Spring Creek Debris Flow Mitigation Project, Fernie Pathway, Jaffray Trail, Edgewater Connectivity Project, Fire Engine Replacements in Panorama, Hosmer and Baynes Lake, Wycliffe Park Campground, Hosmer Fire Hall, and Elko Fire Hall Expansion.

“Unlike a municipality that has one boundary and one set of taxpayers, different areas of the RDEK require different services and these are paid for only by the taxpayers of each specific service area,” explained Clovechok.

“You need to understand what services you receive and what that translates to in order to have the full picture of how the budget will impact you. For example, residents in the City of Cranbrook will see an $18 increase in their requisition for the RDEK based on the average $596,000 residential assessment. Residents of Area C, will see a $47 increase on a $596,000 residential assessment because they receive different services.”

To help summarize some of the impacts, the RDEK has prepared a Snapshot, which includes the Financial Plan’s impacts on the electoral areas and municipalities along with capital budget highlights. The Snapshot of the adopted Five-Year Plan, along with the full adopted plan can be viewed on https://engage.rdek.bc.ca/budget

In addition to the information available online at engage.rdek.bc.ca/budget, copies of the Financial Plan and Snapshot is available on request through the RDEK’s Columbia Valley and Cranbrook offices.

e-KNOW file photo

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