A resolution to the upcoming SILGA (Southern Interior Local Government Association) convention put forward by the North Okanagan Regional District was discussed at the Feb. 16 Regional District Okanagan - Similkameen after NORD sought joint sponsorship for the resolution from all Okanagan regional districts.
The resolution read as follows:
Requirements To Exempt Necessary Water Works Projects From Elector Approval
Sponsored by
Regional District of North Okanagan / Regional District of Central Okanagan / Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen
WHEREAS local government is mandated to provide safe, clean, reliable drinking water as an essential component of a healthy community;
AND WHEREAS the financing of most major water works projects will realistically require borrowing liabilities of over five years;
AND WHEREAS the Community Charter requires elector approval of any liability over five years in duration, thereby requiring a process of acquiring elector approval and creating unnecessary delays in essential projects, exposing the public to ongoing risk and cost without commensurate public benefit;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities lobby the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development to adopt legislation to amend the Community Charter to provide for the exemption of obtaining elector approval for necessary water works projects if the projects have been previously approved by the Inspector of Municipalities through a Master Water Management Plan.
During the discussion surrounding the resolution, several directors expressed concerns over the prospect of citizens having less chance to comment on local water intiatives. They noted that the health authority had the power to order improvements should there be a health risk, regardless of a referendum outcome, with one director noting that the high costs associated with Interior Health’s latest 4-3-2-1-0 drinking water objective would result in there being “hell to pay” should the public lack adequate information and input for costly projects.
The board elected “not to support the resolution to be forwarded to SILGA for consideration at this time.”