The fees and charges that people pay at the arts and recreation centre in Quesnel, at the two areas, and for using community schools, are going up.
Recreation Manager Richard Gauthier went over the proposal at last (Tuesday) night’s North Cariboo Joint Advisory Committee meeting.
“The fees for the provision of services proposed is for an increase by 3.5 percent per year across the board for all rates, fees, public admissions and rentals for a three-year term. The only exception is a 4 percent increase for a three-year term in our family rate as we are slightly behind in comparison to other similar sized municipalities.”
The vote was almost unanimous with only Barb Bachmeier, the CRD Director for Area B, opposed.
“I’ve got a few concerns. I mean 3 1/2 percent over three years, that’s 10 1/2 percent. I am just worried that we’re going to price ourselves out of people actually using our facilities, so I think a 2 percent increase would probably be OK. I think 3 1/2 at this stage is a bit high.”
Quesnel City Councillor Martin Runge, on the other hand, preferred to go in the other direction.
“My question was going to be is this enough ? Do we need to have more because at the end of the day if our natural gas prices go up, or our pool chemicals go up 30 percent, who’s paying the bill ? It’s the taxpayer anyway because those costs are still there.”
Quesnel Mayor Ron Paull agreed.
“For every dollar we cut back on user fees at the rec centre or at the arena or wherever, is a dollar that gets added to the ratepayer’s tax bill. So either way the taxpayer is going to pay. I use the analogy for transit. I’ve never ridden on a transit bus but I pay for it on my taxes. I’m not complaining, but we’ve got to keep a happy balance.”
The new fees will start on August 1st for arena users and on September 1st for the other facilities.
Rec passes, for those living outside the sub regional recreation area, are going up by 8 percent each year.
Jeff Norburn, the Director of Community Services, says it matches the tax increase to North Cariboo Recreation and Parks.
“If you are a taxpayer in the service, right now our capital plan has an 8 percent increase each year that this fees and charges would cover, so the rationale is if you live outside the taxation area, your increase in what you pay for your contribution towards North Cariboo Recreation and Parks should increase the same as taxation, so that they align.”
On a positive note, the committee also agreed last night to lower the seniors age from 65 to 60, which will lower the fees charged for recreation for some.