Local politicians insist their minds aren’t made up when it comes to Greater Vernon’s water utility.
On Thursday, Greater Vernon Advisory Committee members considered 21 assumptions that impact the master water plan.
“We have to look at whether the assumptions are still relevant and we’re not precluding anything,” said Juliette Cunningham, chairperson.
The master water plan is being revisited after a majority of voters shot down borrowing $70 million in November for system upgrades.
The assumptions range from filtration being a requirement of Interior Health to establishment of a water license on Okanagan Lake and treating all customers equally.
While few changes were made to the assumptions, Cunningham says that doesn’t mean the scope of the master water plan won’t evolve.
“Those assumptions can apply to any of the options chosen and it’s just the start of the process.”
However, director Gyula Kiss questions the steps GVAC is taking.
“Who is directing it? It looks like staff is directing it,” he said.
“There should be an independent review of the plan by an individual who knows about water or a company with no connections to the consultants (who drafted the plan). We always seem to be sticking to the options presented prior to the referendum.”
A stakeholder committee will be formed as part of the process, but Kiss doubts he will be involved.
“I am considered to be biased against the system. But anyone else is biased the other way,” he said.
