The information the Cariboo Regional District was waiting for last month has been received, and on Jan. 27, the CRD announced it was going forward with the 108 Mile Ranch Water System Upgrade assent vote (referendum) vote on Feb. 27.
The voting takes place at the 108 Mile Community Hall from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The CRD was hoping to have the referendum in January, but Area G Director Al Richmond says regional district staff was waiting for some reports to come in, but it already knows the new well is more productive than the other wells.
Staff was waiting for some drilling tests to come back because the drilling crew got delayed in starting.
With that information in hand, the regional district is ready to proceed with a public meeting and open house session at the 108 Community Hall on Feb. 15 at 7 p.m.
At this session, residents will be able to learn more about the proposal in order to help them make an informed decision at the polls.
Richmond says a hydrogeologist from Kala Geosciences Ltd. (Kala), which did the study on the 108 Mile Ranch water system, will be at the meeting to answer questions and provide information.
The Area G director says upgrades are needed to address high concentrations of manganese, and develop an alternative ground-water supply to help reduce lake level declines.
108 Mile Ranch resident Jim Gellein will likely have some questions at the Feb. 15 public meeting. He is on record as saying the new well, water main and treatment plant are an unnecessary expense for taxpayers. (See his letter to the editor on page A9 of this edition of the 100 Mile House Free Press.)
Two-thirds funding has been secured from the Small Communities Fund, and the other one-third will need to be borrowed.
The referendum question will ask qualified electors in the 108 Mile Water System Service Area if they are in favour of the CRD borrowing up to $2 million to construct a new well, water main and water treatment at the 108 Mile Water System?
The CRD’s breakdown of use fees and taxation are as follows:
• User Fee: current cost – $220; new cost – $284 for an increase of $64
• Parcel Tax – current – $135; new – $250 (for 15 years) for an increase of $115
• Combined User Fee and Parcel Tax: current – $355; new – $534 for an increase of $179
• Extra cost per month will be $14.92
Advance polls will be held at South Cariboo Recreation Centre in 100 Mile House on Feb. 17, and at the 108 Mile Community Hall on Feb. 22.
Advance polling stations and general voting day polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
