Recent decisions at the CSRD board have prompted some to call for incorporation of Blind Bay-Sorrento as a municipality.
In my opinion, this issue should be carefully evaluated from all perspectives.
For many years, the Sorrento and Area Community Association advocated for an incorporation study involving the Sorrento “village” area.
The BC Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development denied this request in 2013 because “…it remains unclear as to the reasons why residents and property owners feel that their community is ready to undertake an incorporation study and what issues the community is facing today that the regional district system of governance cannot address.”
It is important to consider that there are many pros and cons associated with incorporation, all requiring careful study and deliberation.
On the pro side, one could argue for the benefits of enhanced community focus within the governance model. Instead of one director representing an area with a population of about 7,800, there could, for example, be a council of six councillors along with a mayor all from this area making decisions about this area.
Arguably, there would be an opportunity for a greater extent of control over local services provision because roads, policing, fire suppression, economic development, sewers, water supply, parks, emergency planning, solid waste management, and development planning and zoning are usually municipal responsibilities.
These responsibilities also comprise the major con of incorporation because in addition to providing for these services, the community would also need to fund the administration of them.
While Area C certainly funds much of the administration of the CSRD, incorporation would necessitate that these costs are totally absorbed locally.
In addition, our roads are presently maintained by the province, so this item alone could represent a substantial increase in costs to local taxpayers. Add policing costs into the mix and one can see why incorporation may not be such a bargain.
Smaller municipalities in B.C. have relied upon grants from the province to support their operations. This fact provides insight as to why the province may not be enthusiastic about new incorporations at this time.
Area C has not attracted a large commercial/industrial base to enhance taxation revenues; it is mostly a residential area with businesses highly reliant on tourism and local population support. This isn’t a good taxation model for a municipality.
While I remain skeptical that incorporation of Sorrento alone would be financially feasible, it may be worthwhile, however, to consider looking at a larger area with a larger revenue base.
The rationale for studying the feasibility of incorporation for Blind Bay-Sorrento in my mind is to provide us with a clearer picture of the costs and benefits.
This information would then form a basis for many in-depth discussions involving the entire community. There would obviously need to be a strong basis of support for any such change in governance.
I think it’s worth taking a look as long as there remains a healthy dose of realism about the outcomes.
If you would like to suggest topics for future articles, or participate in community advisory panel surveys, please contact me at pdemenok@csrd.bc.ca.
-Paul Demenok is the Area C director for the Columbia Shuswap Regional District.
