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Beginning in December the District published three “You Asked” articles to help explain key challenges our growing community faces.  How will Lake Country’s growing population hit me in the pocketbook? Why does road maintenance cost so much? Why are water rates going up? 

Lake Country is facing immense external pressures, largely triggered by population growth. RCMP Service costs increases were triggered when Lake Country’s population surpassed 15,000. Rising inflation rates are also resulting in escalated cost of services, contracts, and wages throughout the District. Maintaining and upgrading aging infrastructure and sustaining the level of services that we are all used to will come with a higher price tag in 2023. 

2023 property tax increase being considered: 

Various options will be presented to Council on how to effectively stagger and phase in unavoidable escalating costs. The 2023 property tax increase will range somewhere between 9.95% to 19.02% depending on how Council chooses to move forward. To put the increase into perspective, a 1% increase results in approximately a $20 annual increase, for the average single-family home. BC Assessment has determined that the average single-family home in Lake Country in 2023 is $1.087 Million. 

As 2023 budget deliberations approach beginning on January 26th the community is reminded of the  importance to get involved and let Council know your thoughts on the 2023 draft budget. Public engagement is an important component of the budget process. Budget details can be found at Let’s Talk-Lake Country. Review the materials and leave your questions/comments on the official budget webpage. Staff will ensure that all feedback received on the 2023 draft budget is relayed to Council prior to adoption of the budget. Aside from District official social media channels (Facebook and Instagram) – staff do not monitor external comments and conversations on other pages. 

Get Involved!

There are lots of ways to get involved in the 2023 budget process: 

  • January 26, 2023 - Council will deliberate the five-year financial plan including the 2023 budget at 1st reading. Attend in person or watch live on-line.
  • January 31, 2023 – Council will be hosting the 2023 Town Hall via Facebook Live and Streaming technology. Plan to attend in person or from home. 
  • Let’s Talk – Lake Country will be updated as the budget process progresses. Visit often for up-to-date information and to ask a question. Pose your questions in advance of the January 31 Town Hall to hear the question discussed at the meeting.  
  • February 23, 2023 – Council will give the five-year financial plan 2nd and 3rd reading after incorporating any changes from deliberations and after receiving public input prior to adoption in March 2023.