The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen is holding an online town hall to talk about the upcoming Apex Fire Protection Service Referendum.

The information session will take place on Feb. 17 from 7 to 8 p.m.

RDOS staff will be on hand to discuss the financial impacts, referendum and the next steps for the Apex Mountain Fire Protection Service Establishment and Loan Authorization bylaws.

The Apex Fire Brigade currently provides minimal fire service to the mountain community and has formally approached the RDOS to create a Regional District fire protection service, to be administered in the same way as existing Regional District fire departments.

READ MORE: Reality-TV star donates engine to Apex Fire Brigade

If the referendum is approved, the RDOS would create a service for the provision of fire protection and borrow funds to purchase a suitable fire truck, the required certified equipment and to acquire land and construct a fire hall.

The RDOS would borrow up to $3 million to fund the service. If the maximum amount was needed to be borrowed residents would pay $620.5 over 25 years if their property is worth $250,000, $1,424.1 if it is worth $500,000, 1,861.48 if it’s worth $750,000 and $2,482.01 if the property is worth $1 million.

If approved, there would be a rated fire protection service for residents, which would be Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS) and the insurance industry.

READ MORE: South Okanagan fire brigade receives $5,000 donation for equipment

To participate in the town hall, you can go to rdos.webex.com/ with event number 187 630 8658 and password RD@S or phone in by calling 1-833-311-4101 with event number 187 630 8658.

The town hall will also be streamed on the RDOS Youtube channel. More information is also available at the RDOS Regional Connections website.

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