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City approves Downtown Penticton Association levy renewal after contentious discussions

The DPA and Penticton council met for a special meeting on Thursday (March 24)
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The Downtown Penticton Business Improvement Association sat before council on Thursday to discuss the city’s recent decision on the fixed five-year levy approval process.

The Downtown Penticton Association went home “extremely pleased” on Thursday afternoon (March 24) after city council approved a levy renewal set to expire in 2027.

The DPA’s leaders sat before council asking for a reversal of the city’s recent decision on the levy approval process.

On March 18, council didn’t approve the DPA’s request for a renewal of its five-year levy. Instead, the association’s leaders were directed to gather approval from downtown property owners about the proposed bylaw.

An almost two-hour discussion between the two parties on Thursday was headlined by the revision of the bylaw, prompting council to vote once again on the potential five-year renewal and in essence, decide the fate of the association.

The recommendation was approved after a 5-1 vote, with counc. James Miller opposed and mayor John Vassilaki recused due to a conflict of interest.

READ ALSO: Downtown Penticton Association issues desperate call to members after council decision

The decision by council also allows for the Community Market to go ahead in May.

DPA president Trevor Guerard and finance chair Steve Brown presented their case to council, hoping to move forward with a new five-year mandate from the city.

The special meeting began with Guerard asking council what the point of contention is, while counc. Katie Robinson questioned whether it’s the city’s job to analyze the DPA’s financial situation.

Under the proposed five-year renewal, the DPA would increase the levy cap on individual businesses to $12,000, making establishments like banks and credit unions pay more per year.

Before the vote took place shortly after 3 p.m., Brown issued an urgent call to council about the pending fate of the association.

“Do you want a DPA? Do you want these services in the community? If not, then stand up and say so and we’ll fold up the tent and go away,” he stated.

The DPA has organized events like the city’s Saturday community market and currently provides services such as graffiti removal and security cameras.

Counc. Julius Bloomfield maintained his belief that there should be a BIA in Penticton but that didn’t stop him from asking whether life would go on without one.

“Yes, it would,” he said answering his own question.

“I believe the community market will go ahead one way or another because there is a will of the vendors and the public. Graffiti removal will happen too, I’m confident in that.”

Still, once a revised bylaw was presented by city staff after the two-hour open discussion, five out of the six councillors present approved the DPA’s levy update.

The association will be required to present council with the next renewal proposal by Oct. 31, 2026.

READ MORE: City agrees to special meeting with Downtown Penticton Association

READ MORE: Downtown Penticton Saturday market is dead if council doesn’t reconsider


@lgllockhart
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com

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