The City of Kamloops has released its list of supplemental budget items, which could raise the provisional 10.8 per cent tax increase further.

There are eight supplemental items this year, five of which are from City departments, with the other three being presented on behalf of community organizations.

“The eight additional business cases published today have been set apart from the rest of the provisional budget because they either represent a change to the level of a service currently provided or they offer something completely new,” the City said, in a statement.

“On the Let’s Talk website, each supplementary budget item has a forum for discussion and a poll where residents can indicate their support or opposition.”

The three items that directly impact the 2024 tax rate include a new medical response unit for Kamloops Fire and Rescue, additional funding for the City’s funding agreements program, and an increase in capital funding for the City’s Drainage Capital Plan to allow protect infrastructure in the event of a major rain or flood event.

Not every supplemental item will be funded through taxation, but documents from the City indicate that there could be another 0.63 per cent added to the property tax bill, this year, as as much as 1.5 per cent next year, if the items are approved by City Council.

That could take the 2024 provisional tax rate, which is already the highest in recent years, to nearly 11.5 per cent.

“This [10.81 per cent] figure represents the cost of providing the same services at the same levels as last year while considering new items already approved by Council and changes to regulations, contracts, and rates outside of the City’s control,” the City statement said.

“Information being presented to the Committee of the Whole [on Tuesday] will also include a budget efficiencies report requested by Council when the provisional budget passed third reading.”

Public Budget Meeting set for Feb. 20

The City is also holding another public budget meeting at McArthur Island on Tuesday, Feb. 20, where people will be able to have their say into the supplemental budget. People will also be able have their say in a survey, which will be available until Feb. 27.

Kamloops City Council is expected to set its final tax rate in the spring, with property taxes typically due in early July.

Last year’s supplemental budget came with a 1.85 per cent increase to taxpayers, taking the 2023 tax increase to 6.81 per cent.

For more on the 2024 City of Kamloops budget, go here.