It could be a long, busy summer for Regional District of North Okanagan staff and politicians.
While there was a suggestion to cancel the July 22 and Aug. 19 board meetings in advance, directors have disagreed with that approach.
“If we don’t have business we can cancel a meeting at any time,” said director Doug Dirk, adding that cancelling meetings in advance places pressure to get a number of issues addressed during a single session.
“What we’ve done before creates a log jam with issues all at once.”
Director Bob Fleming agreed that terminating a meeting should be based on workload at the time and not because summer holidays are underway.
“I have been at an (single) August meeting where there is a 400-page agenda. Are you going to get through that,” he said.
While some board members may be away during the summer, director Kevin Acton says that shouldn’t preclude meetings from proceeding.
“If one of us can’t make it, we have alternates,” he said.
The board did decide, though, to cancel the Dec. 23 meeting because of Christmas.
Silver Star water rates climb
Silver Star residents will pay more when they turn on the tap.
The Regional District of North Okanagan board has approved a three per cent fee increase for the community’s water system. That translates into $12 a year for the average residential user.
“This increase is to compensate for an increase in the Silver Star water operating budget to cover the costs for water system upgrades, including a new chlorinator, replacing a water main and replacing a radio tower,” said James de Phyffer, small utilities manager.
The hike at Silver Star comes at the same time that RDNO has received complaints from some Greater Vernon Water customers about a two per cent increase in rates.
“To keep things in perspective for Greater Vernon, some pay a lot more,” said director Mike Macnabb.
Watershed process investigated
The Regional District of North Okanagan will investigate the feasibility of creating a service to undertake implementation of the recommendations in the Shuswap River watershed sustainability plan.
While support for the process has come from the electoral areas, member municipalities could also possibly join a future service.
“Everyone will have an opportunity of whether they want to participate,” said David Sewell, chief administrative officer.
Opposition came from the directors from Enderby, Spallumcheen and Lumby.
“Our council has been undergoing a liquid waste management plan and doing other work on the creek so we wouldn’t be interested in this,” said Kevin Acton, Lumby director.
