Properties in the regional district, including Rossland, could see another potential tax raise, this one to help support the regional hospital.
The West Kootenay-Boundary Regional Hospital District board is hoping to put money into a reserve fund for future infrastructure upgrades that Interior Health may call for, and potentially a new hospital building.
The hospital board suggested to its members that they go and talk with their constituents to find out how much, if anything, the communities in the Kootenay-Boundary region would be willing to pay.
Coun. Kathy Wallace, Rossland’s representative on the board, said there are a number of options that the board has put forward.
There is the option to do nothing, which would lead to a slight drop in taxes of less than a dollar per residence, that would raise no money.
There is the option creating a $1 million reserve, which would cost $5.96 per $100,000 assessment. Then there is a $12.27 increase which would create a $2 million reserve, and a $18.58 increase which would lead to a $3 million reserve fund.
Council decided to support the $1 million reserve.
“I do support the concept of the hospital board planning for the future,” Wallace said. “And recognizing that delaying that to the taxpayers of 15 or 20 years from now, I don’t think, is good planning.”
The board meets tomorrow night in Castlegar. For a meeting agenda click here.