(Image credit: City of Kamloops).

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: Is this the year for a marquee Kamloops sign and other budget goodies?

Feb 15, 2023 | 4:54 AM

WHAT DO YOU THINK of a big marquee style sign in Riverside Park somewhere near Sandman Centre?

Or how about better benches and planters in the North Shore shopping area?

No? How about speeding up work on cycling infrastructure?

Those are just a few of the proposals from within the community for additions to the City’s budget. Council sat down yesterday to hear details of the annual “supplementary” spending list in advance of the final budget being developed over the next few weeks.

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: More than just a royal getaway

9h ago

Two and Out

PETERS: 'Go be homeless somewhere else' is no solution

May 23, 2025

The Tattle of Hastings

THE TATTLE OF HASTINGS: Olynyk talks TRU WolfPack legacy, fight against cancer, life as sports dad

May 23, 2025

A public information session is set for tonight at the McArthur Island Sports and Events Centre.

Councillors were surprisingly laid back about the idea of a marquee sign similar to what a few other cities have. If it gets a green light, it won’t actually get any lights due to its expected cost of $150,000, which is interesting since we usually associate marquee signs with lights.

It’s also interesting given the expected increase to this year’s budget, even though Tourism Kamloops and Communities in Bloom would share the cost.

Most of the total budget is determined by inflation and the needs and wants of various City departments as the city grows. Every one per cent budget hike adds about $25 to taxation for the average home.

Council could tell staff to keep the increase lower but that would likely involve cutting services.

There is some good news, though. Initially, it was expected the increase would come to 5.6 per cent — the highest in years — before add-ons but the updated provisional document calls for 4.96 per cent.

Not only that, the Kamloops increase looks like it will be among the lowest of comparable cities in B.C. including Prince George, Vernon and Victoria.

Whether or not that means a marquee sign and other goodies will be acceptable to taxpayers remains to be seen — there could be some very interesting discussion at tonight’s public information session.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops, alternate TNRD director and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

——

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.