The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has officially adopted a bylaw to
borrow up to $7.25 million over 15 years to install water meters in the Sechelt area, after the alternative approval process passed.
“The AAP returned 773 response forms certified as valid in opposition to the borrowing by the deadline, therefore elector approval has been obtained,” corporate officer Sherry Reid said in the SCRD’s July 8 press release.
Less than 10 per cent of the eligible voting population – approximately 2,120 people – was the threshold for elector approval. The SCRD received less than four per cent.
The AAP began on May 21 and closed at 4:30 p.m. on July 7.
At the July 8 regular board meeting, all directors voted in favour of the loan bylaw after they were presented with the AAP results. Following a 30-day period in which the bylaw could be challenged by an elector, the corporate officer will apply to the province for a certificate of approval. Once that is received, the SCRD may proceed with borrowing, corporate officer Sherry Reid told the board.
The loan could see around 4,800 water meters installed in the Sechelt area for the third phase of the water meter installation project.
“The cost of the debt will be recovered through a parcel tax of approximately $53.98 per parcel on an annual basis over the 15-year term of the loan,” Lori Pratt, the SCRD board chair, said in the press release. “Only those properties included in the Regional Water Service Parcel Tax Roll will be responsible for paying the loan.”
The water supply and distribution service area includes Egmont/Pender Harbour, Halfmoon Bay, Roberts Creek, Elphinstone, West Howe Sound and the District of Sechelt.
In 2018, a similar AAP to borrow $6 million over 20 years was defeated by 2,454 elector responses.
