Big White is AWESOME! A note on property taxes...

So I spent yesterday looking at the RDKB's financial statements, budgets and property tax statements. There has been talk of incorporating Big White, so I thought I would get my head around it - fun times!

In 2012 Big White paid $4.19m in property tax. 49% goes to Provincial School, Rural and Police tax. Leaving $2.1m. However if you only calculated net property taxes, generated by the RDKB, the number is less than $9m. Therefore Big White's taxes account for effectively 24% of the net income (2.1m/8.77m = 24%). If Big White contributes 24% of the tax income theoretically it should benefit from the budget for say Recreational & Cultural Services?

(The math is $5.070 billion of assessed values, blended rate of $3.67 per thousand = $17.2m x 51% = $8.77m). Link (pages are not numbered - you need to look at the 5th to last page)

The 4th to last page shows annual property taxes vs budget. Without having the actual numbers it looks like about 60% of the total annual budget is property tax.

Now the RDKB's gross budget for 2013 is $33m - requisitions make up $17m, Grants etc etc, the rest (including reserve fund $2.2m and last years surplus $2.1m).

It could be argued that Big White does not contribute to the $5.2m of user fees generated through assets owned by the Regional District. However, those assets were acquired through everyone's taxes, including Big White's.

Below is the RDKB budget for Recreational & Cultural Services - the 2013 budget is $6.4m.  In 2012 the budget was $6m+. And over the next 5 years the planned budgets will be similar. (Page 9 of 18.)

RECREATION & CULTURAL SERVICES
Culture Arts & Rec in the Lower Columbia $1,808,346 
Beaver Valley Arena $576,336 
Beaver Valley Recreation $235,420 
Beaver Valley Parks & Trails $850,110 
Parks & Trails - Electoral Area 'B' $257,479 
Recreation Program - Grand Forks & Area 'D' $448,616 
Recreation Commission - Greenwood, Midway , 'E' $42,283 
Recreation Commission - Christina Lake $62,323 
Christina Lake Recreation Facilities $51,319 
Grand Forks Community Centre 0 
Boundary Museum Service $30,000 
Area 'C' Regional Parks & Trails $258,560 
Beaverdell Community Club Service $19,950 
Area 'D' Regional Parks & Trails $41,373 
Area 'E' Regional Parks & Trails $6,273 
Grand Forks Arena $586,094 
Grand Forks Curling Rink $85,988 
Grand Forks Aquatic Centre $717,087 
Regional Library Services - Grand Forks, Areas 'C' & 'D' $342,490 
Library - Specified Area 'E' $3,500

Grand Total $6,423,548

Have a look at the budget, there are quite a number of line items... but zero for Big White. The RDKB indicates 31% of the budget goes to Recreational stuff.

The other interesting thing is assets owned by the RDKB - it appears they have combined cash funds and capital assets of $43m - it could be argued Big White contributed 24% of this. (Page 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.) 

So, what does this all mean? Well, it looks like Big White gets about $2.1m of benefits - the equivalent amount of net funds (or 51% of Gross) it sends to the RDKB. In comparison the RDKB spends about double the Gross tax revenue. Or to be equally compensated, Big White should see $8.4m flow into the community.

The Problem.
The problem is we don't have a voice, 3,000 +/- properties and no votes, we don't have fair representation for the taxes we submit. I am told the last census indicated 105 permanent voting residents at Big White. At the last local government elections, Bill Baird won the election with 354 votes to Christopher Stevenson's 204. A 100% turnout would do little.

I would like to see Big White grow and become independent, to control its own destiny, we have a lot of smart people at Big White - surely we know how to manage our own budgets...?  

I am green to municipal organizations, I have no idea about politics or running a city but I am told we need a referendum. 

So to summarize - 

• For every dollar the RDKB spends, $.60c+/- is collected in property tax.
• For every tax dollar Big White submits, $.51c gets returned. (actually it looks like less - 15% going to Area E?) Pie Chart at the bottom.
• For every dollar the rest of the region submits $2 gets returned.
• The RDKB will spend $6.4m on Recreation and Cultural improvement this year. Zero is allocated to Big White.

Let's have a voice!

Add your comment or email me.

Big White is AWESOME! Dogs!

I grew up in England - Wigan to be precise (don't laugh). And my childhood was full of local dogs; many families on our street had a dog, Ben, Rusty, Sheba, Lassie (x3), Laddie, Blackie (he was Black...) Shep, Rover... etc etc. Everyday you would see these dogs hanging around the street, playing with the kids. Actually they probably help keep the kids safe.

Over time things changed, dogs had to be on a leash, under control, kept indoors, out of site and out of mind... pretty sad for me.

But not really at Big White, go to the Globe on any given day and you have a chance of seeing - Yoda, Lucy, Hobbes, Pixel, two Golden Retrievers (sorry Lance I cannot remember their names), sometimes a Border Collie and occasionally a Chihuahua (had to look up the spelling...) it is cool, it reminds me of my childhood when things were more relaxed and a little less tense.

This week was not a good week for the canine community. You probably know that someone tried to take my two dogs... luckily both were saved by Dan. Then a couple of days later Leanne lost Yoho... he died at the kennel. Aged five... what? He was a Bernese - not a long life expectancy... but five? I have lost dogs before, but old age, kind of expected, less of a loss.


So sad. :( I would see Leanne and Yoho on the cross country trails in the winter - and you can bet, to Yoho, it was the best thing ever... Ever!

Loosing a dog is like loosing a family member...

My first dog was a Corgi cross, named Candy. I was three when he died, he got run over in front of the house, I was with my best friend Ian Potter (no relation to Harry)  - we saw it happen. Candy yelped and yelped and then had a green... she had to be put down.

But the point is, I was three, who remembers being three? I remember everything, it was traumatic, I remember everything because Candy was a part of the family, I remember everything because Candy never came back... I was three, and Candy was gone...

A few weeks ago my friends the Isfans lost their dog - a chocolate Lab. She was old tho, she was expected to die, she was a part of the family and now she is gone. Sad.

A dog does not need money, fancy clothes, posh wine... a dog does not need luxury. A dog needs nothing but companionship, exercise and attention. A dog will love you, and would die for you. A dog will follow you to the ends of the earth, just to be with you, your dog's love is unconditional, forever. Isn't that what everyone wants, unconditional love?

So to Yoho... You will be missed, and to the rest of the dogs at Big White, Cheers! 

And if you do see a dog a Big White, say 'Hi'.

A true dog story.

When Susan and I were in Former Yugoslavia, she lived in Split for a while. Next door, there was this (the best way to describe him) vicious German Shepard, killer guard dog - Byron. I grew up with dogs, but Byron, he scared the living daylights out of me.

Anyway I decided I was going to make friends with Byron. Every night I would take scraps out to him. And every night when I got close he tried to rip out my throat. After a while he would try to rip out my throat, realize it was the 'good food dude', and chill a little. I would give him the food, he would gobble it down... and then try to rip out my throat - as you do if you are a vicious killer dog.

Eventually I got to the point where he was relaxed with the 'good food dude' and happy to see me. Me? I was still cautious of him - he was behind bars so could not 'get' to me but still...

One day I turn into the street and I see Byron... and he is out of his controlled environment. I stop... he looks at me, his ears are up, his eyes are black and he is now still... just watching...

What do I do? This is a killer guard dog, he is big, terrifying and no longer caged... And he is staring at me...

What did I do? I thought 'shit', then I thought f*** it, instantly I acted as his friend, I bent down, padded my thighs and called to him 'come on Byron, come here... good boy'. Byron changed, no longer killer guard dog, but friendly matey dog, his buddy had arrived... 'hey dude, good to see you man, scratch my ears and wrestle with me...  I am out, how much fun is that? got any scraps?'

Byron became my (uncaged) friend, I would go to his place, pick him up and take him running with me. Scary, but my friend.

Actually I am totally allergic to dogs, but for me it is worth it, in my opinion, you will never, ever get a more trusting, loyal and reliable companion. Dogs are AWESOME!

Big White is AWESOME! Cos of the People 2 - The Paul.

As attractive as Brad is... I do have the perfect woman for me, my lovely wife Susan. I knew she was perfect when I realized she was laughing at my crappy jokes, and was willing to spend more than 10 minutes with me - not much more, but still. 

Of course I had to be careful with my decision - did I really want to spend the rest of my life with a woman that would marry someone like me...? In the end I accepted that I just got a much better deal than she did. 

So, people at Big White 2: After an overwhelming response (just under two) clamouring for less, it was time to expand, and maybe create a series.

The Paul.

Who? Guy that owns the Globe with Jude (who?), speaks funny, (huh?) looks like Debbie Harry (the later years) - ah, now you got him?

This section is a bit R rated so you may want to close your ears.

The Paul and I are different and yet similar which leads to great banter between the two of us.

For example I would say something like "Hi Paul" and he will instantly come back with gems like 'F**k off Chris' or 'Shut the f**k up' or the eternal - 'Don't f**king talk to me'

Ahhh, classic Paul. Sometimes I don't even have to start before he jumps in with his side...

Paul can often be found at the Globe talking about Manchester United - I think it is a carpet shop or something. And the mere mention of Sir Alex Tony Robinson or George Better is enough to bring a tear to his eye.

When I first met Paul he would always sit alone with three pints of Guinness in front of him. Sit and sip and stare, sit and sip and stare... Eventually I had to ask what he was doing. After we got passed the playful banter (see above) he told me that he and his two brothers would always sit and drink a pint of Guinness in their home town of New Delhi. 

When they went their separate ways, they promised once a month to sit and drink three pints of Guinness, one for each brother, and reflect on their East Indian roots. How cool is that?

One day tho, I see Paul sipping only two pints... "uh oh", I thought, has something happened to a brother? I gently ask "Did something happen to your brother?" 

"F**k off... wait, what?" He responds, sounding a bit like that funny uncle you used to have, the one that was way, way to touchy feely...

"Two beers...? Did something happen to a brother...?" I say.

"F**k off Chris, nothing has happened to my brothers, I'm on antibiotics, Dr's orders, I can't drink... these pints are theirs, you numpty" Apparently 'numpty' is a word in New Delhi - who knew? 

Come share some banter with Paul at the Globe - open everyday! But he is not there, ever...

Gavin is tho...

Big White is AWESOME! Cos of the people...

It is 'Jo', not 'Joe' as I was reliably informed by someone who would know - Jo herself... Sorry Joe. 

Jo not Joe.

Jo is the always, always smiling and very pretty face at the Globe - even when she only has four hours sleep she is bright and cheerful and always, always performs the hyper critical task of keeping my coffee cup, full of coffee. Ah... I love the smell of coffee in the morning...

And sometimes on the rare occasion I fulfill my side of the bargain and actually pay for the coffee... but not too often, I need to ensure expectations are managed, and not too high...

No fires here... Yet.

And look guys, Jo is cute - if I was not married, had kids, two dogs, a mortgage bigger than god, was 25 years younger, better looking, could actually talk coherently, and rich - I would be all over Jo...

The other staff face of the Globe is our Brad - guess what is Brad's other special skill? Yes, correct, he is an electrician. Brad is fairly new to the Globe but he has quickly become popular with all the canine community! We expect Brad to advance rapidly - if he continues the good work he will in two-three years become recognized as a semi permanent, potentially full (probationary) member of the temporary staff... list of employee applicants - keep up the good work Brad! 

And ladies - Brad is single... eh eh? I tell you if I was not married, kids, dogs, mortgage... 

If you are wondering about the outfit there seems to be a strong correlation between fires and Brad, whenever, wherever there is a fire Brad can usually be found slinking around with his big hose... matches and a gas can - but if you are (allegedly) starting fires, wear the best safety gear - protection and camo when the real ERT's arrive. Genius! And many people have not accused Brad of not being smart.

Love you guys :)

Anyway to paraphrase Oscar Newton John - work is the scourge of the drinking classes so you'd better shape up. (it is an inside (my head) joke).

Come visit us in the Summer - it is Awesome!

Big White is AWESOME! End of hiking week.

Looking from the top of Cliff Chair down to the lake.

Sunday was the last day of my 7 day personal, challenge and it was finished with a great hike - 14km with the Brunt family, and a dog pack including Yoda, Hobbes, Pixel and Lucy. Critters on the mountain were almost had a slightly higher risk from the canine gang of cuddly pets.

The day started at Globe with a quick coffee and then  a gentle pace to Rhonda lake (Anyone know why it is called Rhonda?). Past Rhonda, up the saddle and up to the peak. My GPS tells me the peak elevation was 7,602 ft. Is this correct for Biggie?

From the Big White peak we headed towards the top of Falcon Chair and then over to the top of the Gem Chair.

 
What an awesome day, I have been up the mountain numerous time but never hiked to the top of Falcon or Gem - it is so cool up there, very moon-scapey in places and we got to see the elusive Gem Lake - which is bigger than expected.


From Gem it was a traverse across, staying as high as possible without climbing again to end up at the top of Powder Chair, Ghost and Ridge Chairs respectively. Lots of rocky areas to traverse, slow (ish) and great fun for the kids to 'path-find'. Luca and Owen where the leaders - why do 10 year old boys not get tired?

Fun with the Brunt Family!

I use 'MapmyFitness' to track runs/hikes etc. And it told me I had expended 1500 calories +. So of course finishing at the Globe, we had to get some much needed replenishment in the form of libations (hmmm Tree Brewing Pineapple Wheat Beer) and of course the best egg and bacon sandwich courtesy of Joe at the Globe - err Yumm!

My son Luca and Hobbes after a rock climb.

This is from the saddle heading up towards the Peak.

From Falcon area looking back toward the Big White Peak.

Heading down but looking up toward Gem Peak.

The easy out from T-Bar (I think) - still snow!

Yours truly.

An excellent day - and right on your doorstep! How can you not love living at Big White?

And here is the business pitch.

Sólido Properties manages long term, seasonal and guaranteed rental properties at Big White - visit our website and Facebook page for more information, or email direct.

Big White is AWESOME! Hiking the Mountain.

Hiking.

I set myself a challenge this week, hike up to Rhonda lake everyday.

Today was day 5 - I thought it would be the toughest day, not only am I sore from 4 straight days but I also played intense squash for 1:45 last night. I know what you are thinking "why play squash in a tent?".

Actually I did only Rhonda on Sunday. Monday I did the saddle then up to the Big White summit, Tuesday the Easter Chutes, Wednesday the rockslide at the left of the saddle and today the saddle again. And despite my tent activities it was the least tiring day.

From the Timbers to the top and back again is roughly 10km+, although I have covered 12km and 11km on a couple of days.

I take the dogs - Hobbes (the big dude) and Pixel (the little dude) - they have fun, especially when they find snow or chase critters. As a dog, what else is there but fun outside?

They have never actually caught a critter - these are your not hard core hunting dogs, these are condo pets pretending...

I am not sure they would know what to do, if they ever caught one... The little dude could be a critter...

How many other places is this on your doorstep? And it is quiet. Have you every hiked up Snowden in Wales? There must be thousands of people every day - believe or not there is even a train to the top...

This is looking at the back from the saddle.


And in the Winter, but from the other direction, confused?

Rhonda Lake of course, looking small.

I lived in Kelowna, South East area and it was okay. When I wanted to go for a run I would jump in my car with the dog, drive 5km to Crawford Trails, the same  when finished. At Big White I walk out my door...

And the temperature is better for me, I am a cool person, well not really but I like a cooler environment. I get that here, I don't need AC and if I want to jump in a lake there it is :) Maybe you will see a bunch of kids in there on Saturday, maybe.

Anyway, enjoy Big White, and get out onto the mountain... It is Awesome!