2023 Property Tax Watch

In the next few weeks, you will be paying your 2023 property taxes.

We have had 2 years of relatively stable property taxes and are now facing significant tax increases for 2023 once you consider the assessed value of your home. You are welcome to plug in your own numbers to my Spreadsheet and see what impact 2023 taxes are for you. It may surprise you.

CVRD states, "...the costs associated with the new regional recreation funding model approved by referendum, as well as the rising cost of maintaining our current service levels, have resulted in a 11.49% average increase to taxation by the CVRD." (Message from the Chair, 2023 CVRD insert with your tax notice). Island Trust advertises a 2.06% increase. I'm looking at a 32% increase after including all levels of government.

The largest tax increases are for Cowichan Valley Administration and Thetis Island Improvement District.

The largest tax components for Cowichan Valley Administration include the Vancouver Island Regional Library, Community Parks and Trail (excluding Island Trust properties), CVRD Leisure facilities, and the Solid Waste Complex. 

I expect higher future taxes from CVRD who is using a 10% inflation assumption for their 2024 Budget and from higher Parcel taxes.

I am wondering if there is any support to lobby for offsetting grants to get back some of our increased taxes for services that we don't really use?

If you want the Spreadsheet or are concerned about higher taxes, contact me at paulduncanvictoria@shaw.ca 

Paul Duncan, member, TIRRA

Canada Day ~ July 1st Sail Past

The July 1st Sail Past is on again and fast approaching! Decorate your boats with some Canadian spirit and come enjoy an afternoon on the water sailing/cruising around Penelakut and Thetis.

2pm: Depart from Thetis Island Marina

1st Pitstop: Tent Island

2nd Pitstop: Penelakut Spit

Cruise continues up the east side of Thetis, around North Cove and down the west side.

Please no balloons in boats this year. We can all enjoy them on land at the Family Fun Day event on August 12th, where balloon debris can be picked up and disposed of. If anyone wishes to get creative with water guns in boats, you’re most welcome to do so.

All ages and boats welcome. Let’s keep this fun island tradition alive and celebrate this fine country we call home! The Sail Past will take place rain or shine.

Any questions - please contact Tricia Hunter 246-8954 or hunter_studio@hotmail.com

Looking forward to seeing many decorated boats and island neighbours at sea on July 1st!

Saturday Market at Thetis Island Marina

Yeah! it is Saturday market day at the Thetis Island Marina Pub, in Dunfield Park. Our first day and we hope it shines. We will be happy to greet you with a smile. Many goodies to look over and purchase. Have a nice time with us. Thank you.

Hortensa

Ram Board/Floor Protector Scraps?

Anyone with a small length of ram board, or similar, floor protector I could have to protect a finished floor in a doorway for the indefinite future?

Ryan

250-514-6917

Jars for Flowers

We are in search of cool jars to use for floral arrangements at Jollity Farm. Interesting jars of all shapes and sizes can be used, as well as plain old mason jars. Please contact aimee.vand@gmail.com if you have some to donate. 

Thank you!

Aimée

Chemainus Drop off this Morning?

Oops, we had a kink in our Thursday delivery and were not able to drop off a small veggie order for the Chemainus Health Food Store!

If anyone is going over this morning and would be willing to drop off for us we and they would greatly appreciate. We will make it up to you with farm treats :)

Please text or call 250.415.0101 and someone can meet you in the ferry lineup.

Thanks in advance!

Jollity Farmers

Sunday Church

The "on screen" speaker this Sunday the 18th is Stuart Briscoe.

The topic is "Youthful Life Lessons".

10 AM at the Community Centre, all are welcome.

Further info---Ernie 250-252-0144.

Saturday Summer Market

With Father's Day on Sunday, it's a great time to stop by 69 Pilkey Point Road on Saturday to see what the market has to offer! Frank's beautiful pens, Becky's amazing cakes, Marylyn's Asian specialties and So much more See you there!

The Marketing Team

Healthy, Affordable Grains

Hello, Thetis Islanders, who want to bake their own bread from healthy, fresh, pesticide free grains.

We have a good opportunity to bring to Thetis unsprayed/pesticide free grains, Red Fife, Einkorn or/or Spelt grains from farms in Northern BC. We are reaching out to find out how many Thetisians would like to purchase grain on a regular basis so that we can decide how much grain, for how many and for how much to buy. Here is the idea for anybody who wants to bake their own bread on Thetis:

1. Genuine farm grains can be obtained from the farms in BC

2. You will have to buy the amount of grain you will commit to

3. You will have to store the grains in your own grain safe storage

4. You will know the price for 1kg before you finally commit. 

This is just to find out the initial number of interested people. Once we know how many people want to be part of the program, we will be able to come up with a price tag.

The whole enterprise is part of our effort for independence, healthy lifestyle and local living and thriving.

If interested and/or having questions, please send an email to: jcerny07@gmail.com

Disposing of Expired Marine Flares

In Canada, distributors and manufacturers of flares are responsible for accepting and disposing of expired flares. The term “distributor” does not apply to all retailers that sell flares as a product. Distributors are only responsible for accepting the brands of flares that they sell, although some do accept all brands for a fee. Flare disposal costs range from $4 to $10 per flare depending on the type. There are no flare disposal facilities in British Columbia, meaning all flares are shipped across the country for disposal in either Alberta or Quebec.

Listed below is the contact information for companies on Vancouver Island that accept flares. Always contact the distributor before you ship any flares to them. They will set up the shipping for you and provide shipping requirements and costs. Shipping costs will be high, as flares are considered dangerous goods.

Pacific Coast Liferaft, Victoria 250-360-1573 Accepts all brands of flares.

The Harbour Chandler, Nanaimo 250-753-2425 Only accepts CIL/Orion flares.

All Bay Marine, Sidney 250-656-0153 Only accepts CIL/Orion Flares

Posted from information from Transport Canada, Office of Marine Safety.

Training Day for TIVFD & Auxiliary

On this Saturday, June 17 , between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm, the fire department will be operating on the roads between Central Hall on Mission Road and Foster Point Road by the Highways  Yard.  This is our annual Combined Wildfire Drill where we work with our Auxiliary Teams (Water Supply, SPU, Traffic Control, Rest & Rehab, & Communications) at a simulated wildfire event. 

There may be some minor traffic control delays near the Highways Yard during that time.  Please obey the traffic controllers’ directions for your safety and ours. 

Thank you for your patience and support. 

TIVFD

Possible Asphalt Trucking Next Week with Ferry Travel Affected

Pending final confirmation: 

To resurface the Forbes Hall Tennis Court, Island Asphalt be travelling as a full load on possibly an 8:35 am sailing from Chemainus mid-week, next week, returning to Chemainus on a later run that afternoon. 

We will inform you when timing confirmed, and which sailings may be affected.

Thank you,

TICA Board