A pair of alternative approval processes (AAP) are coming forward for Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) electors in June.
One will be for the borrowing of up to $3.5 million for roof replacements at the Gibsons and Area Community Centre and the Sechelt Aquatic Centre, with an estimated $2.9 million of those funds earmarked for the project in Gibsons.
Electors from SCRD areas B (Halfmoon Bay), D (Roberts Creek), E (Elphinstone), and F (West Howe Sound), with the exclusion of island properties, District of Sechelt, Town of Gibsons, and shíshálh Nation will have the opportunity to submit response forms in opposition to that proposal. No responses are required from voters who do not object. With a count of 24,044 local electors and 42 non-resident property electors in those areas, 2,408 or 10 per cent of that total would be required to submit forms in opposition for the AAP to fail.
A separate AAP will be held for electors in the Halfmoon Bay Fire Protection Service area (Area B excluding island properties). That process will seek authorization to borrow up to $623,200 to replace that service’s Rescue 1 Fire Truck. Eligible to participate in that AAP are 2,335 resident electors and 14 non-resident property owners/electors. That process would be defeated if 234 of those electors file opposition forms.
At the April 27 SCRD board meeting details on two AAPs were endorsed as presented by staff.
Both APPs are slated to close July 17. Staff projected the results of each process will be presented to the board July 27.
Why an AAP over a referendum?
In meeting debate, Area D (Roberts Creek) director Kelly Backs asked about the costs of seeking voter approval for the loans. Corporate officer Sherry Reid outlined that the costs of an AAP are in the range of $2,000 for advertising with staff administrative time covered fro existing budgets. She noted that the costs to conduct a referendum for these borrowings, which involve electors from all SCRD areas except Pender Harbour/Egmont, would be in the range of $150,000.
She explained that if either AAP received over the 10 per cent threshold of objections, the board would have the option of calling for a referendum on taking out the related loan or abandoning that borrowing process.
Identifying the projects being funded as “routine and maintenance related” rather than a change in policy or services, Area E director Donna McMahon stated, “I don’t think a referendum is needed”.
If approved, both loans would be repaid by the taxpayers of the impacted areas over a period of up to 10 years.
