The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) passed its annual budget and five year plan with tax hikes ranging between 1.3 and 13 per cent — all dependent on where you live.
The RDCK provides a variety of services such as regional parks, landfills, organics composting, recreation facilities, fire protection, and building inspections. The amount that taxpayers in individual areas and municipalities pay varies greatly depending on the number of services that the district provides to that area.
The district plans to collect $44.55 million from area residents in 2025, up by about $4 million since 2024.
Comparing area to area can be a little confusing as some areas receive more services, so they pay more taxes. If an area sees a higher rate increase compared to other communities, that doesn't necessarily mean it is paying more taxes than its neighbours.
For example, the community with the highest rate increase is the Village of Silverton at 13 per cent. However, Silverton actually has one of the lowest tax rates in the RDCK at 0.949 per $1,000 of assessed value, meaning a $500,000 home would be charged $475 in property tax.
Creston and the surrounding Areas B and C pay some of the highest rates in the district, but are seeing lower-than-average increases this year. Creston rates will go up by 4.6 per cent, Area B by 1.3 per cent, and Area C by 3.7 per cent. Their rates per $1,000 of assessed value range from 2.215 to 2.612, meaning a $500,000 home would be charged between $1,107 and $1,306.
When looking at municipalities, it is important to note that RDCK property taxes are on top of what each individual municipality charges its residents.
Castlegar residents will see a smaller increase of 2.3 percent for a rate of 1.262 per $1,000 of assessed value, meaning a $500,000 home will be charged $631. Castlegar's neighbouring communities will see higher increases with Area I at 8.4 per cent and Area J at 5.4 per cent. A $500,000 home will be charged $1,157 in Area I and $887 in Area J.
The City of Nelson will see an increase of 6.6 per cent and pay $634 per $500,000 of assessed value.
Near Nelson, Area E rates will go up by 8.9 per cent and Area F will go up by 9.3 per cent, some of the largest increases in the district. That will leave Area E homeowners paying $674 for a $500,000 property and Area F paying $1024.
Area D will see one of the highest increases at 11 per cent and pay $683 per $500,000 of assessed value.
Kaslo rates are going up by 5.6 per cent to $948 per $500,000.
Salmo will see an increase of 6.1 per cent for $783 on a $500,000 property and nearby Area G will see an increase of 8.4 per cent for $894 on $500,000.
Up the Slocan Valley, one lucky community – the Village of Slocan – is getting a tax decrease of 1.9 per cent. Property owners there will pay $983 on s $500,000 property. While the surrounding Area H will see an increase of 8.4 per cent, but only pay $422 on $500,000.
New Denver's increase will be 8.0 per cent for a bill of $439 on a $500,000 property.
Nakusp residents are looking at a 6.7-per-cent increase and a tax bill of $715 on a $500,000 property. Neighbouring Area K will see an increase of 9.0 per cent and pay $371 on a $500,000 property – the lowest rate in the district.
Property tax bills typically arrive at the end of May or beginning of June and will be due in early July.
