The Regional District of Central Okanagan鈥檚 budget is coming under fire.

Directors have adopted the 2017 financial plan bylaw.

鈥淭he influence we are seeking as electoral area directors on behalf of our constituents is still being outvoted by the board,鈥� said Wayne Carson, North Westside director.

鈥淧lanning costs are still too high and there is never any money for capital funding in the parks. Water rates are imposed on us by other communities.鈥�

Carson says he and the director for Central Okanagan East didn鈥檛 support a centralized manager for the electoral area fire service but regional district staff then directed that money to the four fire halls.

鈥淭he regional district has done an end-run. They aren鈥檛 supporting the position of the electoral area directors.鈥�

According to RDCO, the budget brings a decrease in the regional district portion of the tax bills for most average property owners.

鈥淭he 2017 operating budget totals just over $64.7 million which includes $29.7-million for operations, $4.95 million to reserves for future capital projects and $30 million in Municipal Finance Authority debt payments on behalf of member municipalities and the Okanagan Regional Library. This year $15.9-million will be spent on important capital and infrastructure projects,鈥� says RDCO.

In other financial matters, Carson has approved a $1,600 grant for the North Westside Communities Association to hold an Easter egg hunt and Canada Day festivities while $1,500 will go to the North Westside Sports Club for youth soccer.

鈥淭hey are a sign of our community,鈥� said Carson.