There appears to be some interest in hammering out border flare-ups.
Regional District of North Okanagan directors have indicated support for an agreement on boundary extension protocols between the district and the City of Vernon.
“Let’s get this rolling,” said Brian Quiring, a Vernon director.
RDNO has decided to defer considering a proposed city block extension of land in the two electoral areas until a municipal boundary extension protocol agreement has been developed.
“By entering into a protocol, it uses a more sophisticated tool to look at these issues,” said Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director.
“It would look at both sides of the fence. It would create co-operation and help with planning.”
Both BX-Swan Lake and BX-Silver Star have previously expressed concern that when land is annexed into Vernon, they lose part of their tax base and it becomes difficult to fund services like fire protection.
However, there are some reservations coming from the city about the process.
“I don’t want this to take until the next millennium,” said Quiring of the process.
“It’s all encompassing and has every issue we could face. I don’t think we will ever get to the list.”
RDNO officials have suggested a phased protocol with established timelines.
A meeting could be held this spring to initiate the process if there is support among the jurisdictions.
“This still has to go before our council. Our council has to decide to participate,” said Bob Spiers, a Vernon director.
