Summerland City Council considers increasing dog licensing fees for next year – Penticton News

On By Pranco

The Summerland City Council will consider an increase of $10 per dog permit for next year, following a pitch from county staff to cover rising costs.

Currently, the district charges $60 for unspayed or unneutered (i.e. intact) and $30 for spayed or neutered dogs.

While this is in line with nearby municipalities’ costs, with Penticton’s projected 2025 rates at $35 for a neutered/spayed dog and $70 for an intact dog, RDCO rates at $20 and $60, and Kamloops at $30 and $65, the County dog ​​licensing fees not updated. since 2017.

According to the staff report, costs have not kept pace with inflationary pressures.

“The District of Summerland has invested a significant amount of money in recent years to support dog owners, including the construction of two dedicated dog parks, one at Peach Orchard Park and one at the Dale Meadows Sports Complex,” staff added.

“In addition to the physical construction of the parks, these dog facilities have also been associated with a greater operational impact on the county’s law enforcement cost base, as well as on the maintenance of the parks. For these reasons, staff believes dog owners should pay more. to cover this additional impact on operating costs rather than relying on general taxes.”

This $10 increase in dog licensing fees will become $40 for spayed or neutered dogs and $70 for intact dogs.

Staff is also asking the council to eliminate the 50 percent license discount after June 30 (i.e. pro-rating).

“Most dog permits are renewed at the start of a calendar year, and this 50 percent reduction will create some administrative burden if new permits are issued after June 30.”

The district said they average about 1,000 dog licenses each calendar year, which means an additional $10,000 in projected additional revenue.

If the City Council approves these changes, they will be included as amendments to the appropriate bylaws at the 2025 budget meeting on December 17, 2024.

The city council will discuss the proposed rate change on Tuesday.