Dogwood Express Newsletter |
|
January 6, 2023: Issue 37 |
|
|
In This Issue:
- Listing Purchase Deadline Feb 6th - 2023/24 Super Camping/Select Lodging Guide
- Carefully Review Your Property Assessment Notice - You have until January 31, 2023, to Dispute or Appeal
- Registration Open for First Webinar in the 2023 BCLCA Spring Series
-
New Guide to Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI) Risk Assessment
|
Dear BCLCA Member:
As we welcome in a new year, we are faced with the old foe COVID that continues to evolve with new variants but unlike the past few years we are not facing severe health measures affecting business. I am optimistic that business will be buoyant in 2023 despite the inflationary pressures.
This month we have our first member video Parking Lot engagement session on Thursday, January 26th at 9:00 am. Members will gather via video to chat with the board and fellow operators about setting rates. There is NO FEE to attend but registration is required.
To register for the FREE Parking Lot series, you can pick the ones you plan to attend, please click here.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
|
|
|
LISTING PURCHASE DEADLINE FEBRUARY 6th - 2023/24 SUPER CAMPING/SELECT LODGING GUIDE
The BCLCA will be publishing the Super Camping/Select Lodging guide for the 2023/24 season, published continuously since 1989. 80,000 copies will be printed by Mitchell Press in May 2023 along with the publication of an online SCBC flipbook version accessible (13,766 visitors over the past year) from the travel website.
The guide also has a companion mobile SCBC App for Android and Apple mobile device users (14,000 users and growing). Members that purchase a listing in the print guide are listed on the App. When a members listing for the upcoming 2023/24 guide is received, they are added to the App. Note, the Super Camping App listings carry more information than the guide listings and link to your website.
The 80,000 print guides will be distributed at Visitor Info Centres in BC /Alberta, BCLCA Members, RV Rental Agencies, BC Parks, BC Ferries, Consumer Shows and Government Agencies.
The 2023/24 guide has a choice of two different listings, basic and enhanced, and both formats include a photo. All properties who purchase a listing are also located by number on the pull-out map, which is cross-referenced with their listing in the guide and promoted on the Super Camping App.
If you are interested in being listed in the 2023/24 guide, please email [email protected] or call 778-383-1037. Purchase deadline February 6, 2023.
|
|
CAREFULLY REVIEW YOUR PROPERTY ASSESSMENT NOTICE - YOU HAVE UNTIL JANUARY 31, 2023 TO DISPUTE OR APPEAL
By now you should have, or will shortly, receive your property assessment notice from BC Assessment. It is important to understand that property assessment and taxation is a two-part process.
The first is the assessment of the market value of your property on July 1, 2022, which is determined by BC Assessment operating under the Assessment Act and includes classifying the property by use.
Secondly, once BC Assessment has determined the market value and classification the local property taxes or (mill) rates are applied to the valuation; and these are set by the local taxing authorities or in rural areas the provincial government and are due around July 2023. The tax amounts are communicated later in the year.
Your property assessment determines your share of taxes. Your relative share of taxes is determined by the market value placed on your property in relation to the total value of all properties in your property classification. This is why it is so important to make sure your assessment accurately reflects the market value of your property and correct classification(s) so that your property taxes will reflect your fair share of the tax burden.
Property taxes generally increase for three reasons, however changes in classification or exemption status can also affect the value of property and subsequent taxes:
- The tax authority raises the property tax rate to raise more revenue;
- Improvements increase the property’s value; or
- Improvements raise the value of a property in relation to most other properties in the jurisdiction.
The assessment notice shows the market value of the land and improvements as estimated at July 1, 2022. It als o lists the property classification, as well as any exemptions that may apply such as the Tourist Accommodation Assessment Relief Act ( TAARA).
If you decide that your assessed value or classification is wrong the first step is to contact the local BC Assessment Office to discuss your concerns and after this, you may need to appeal. The date for filing an appeal by is January 31, 2023. The Property Assessment Review Panel (PARP) hearings usually take place between February 1 and March 15.
The second level of appeal is the Property Assessment Appeal Board (PAAB). The deadline to file an appeal to the PAAB is April 30 of each year (Note: due to April 30 falling on a weekend, for 2023 PAAB the deadline is extended to May 1, 2023). You must file a complaint (appeal) with the PARP first before filing an appeal to PAAB. For more information, visit the PAAB website.
For complicated valuation arguments there are several companies that specialize in assisting businesses with commercial property assessment appeals. Several BCLCA members report utilizing some of these over the past number of years.
|
|
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR THE FIRST WEBINAR IN THE 2023 BCLCA SPRING SERIES
The BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association hosts FREE educational webinars for the membership in the spring of each year.
The webinars take place via the Zoom Video platform on the third Wednesday of the month with a start time of 10:00 am Pacific Standard Time and will feature two topics each.
Operators can register for the FREE webinars by clicking on the invitation link. Webinar reminders via email are sent to registrants along with the recording after the event.
Webinar 1 in the series - Wednesday, February 15, 2023 - 10:00 – 11:30 am
- Part 1 Campground Maintenance, Chris Rhodes, Director of Operations, Eastern Resorts, Parkbridge 45 minutes.
- Part 2 Reservation Software Panel 45 Minutes with panelists Blaine Heldt, DigitelRez, Mike Yasieniuk, Let’s Camp, and Debbie Long Campground Booking.
Please register in advance for this FREE webinar:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
|
|
NEW GUIDE TO MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURY (MSI) RISK ASSESSMENT
WorkSafeBC has developed a new MSI Risk Assessment Guide for employers. This new guide provides information on how to do an MSI risk assessment. The guide outlines the requirements for a proper MSI risk assessment and describes the risk factors that employers need to consider in an assessment.
Sprains and strains can develop from a variety of work activities and are the most common injury accepted by WorkSafeBC. Identifying hazards, evaluating risks, and implementing appropriate controls helps to reduce and eliminate these common workplace injuries.
Top 5 WorkSafeBC Injuries:
1. Strains
2. Back Strains
3. Occupational Disease
4. Cuts
5. Contusions
To reduce injuries at your worksite a competent person needs to identify, analyze, and communicate the workplace hazards and risks. The goal is to eliminate or control the risks/hazards to prevent uncertainties, situations and errors that can lead to a workplace injury.
|
|
BC LODGING & CAMPGROUNDS ASSOCIATION
209, 3003 St. Johns Street, Port Moody BC V3H 2C4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
