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Flood Control Service contemplated for Area A
The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) is looking at the possibility of establishing a new Flood Control Service in Electoral Area A and the community got a look at the proposal Monday night during an open house and meeting at Hosmer.
“I am excited to bring this proposal out to the community for two key reasons: we will be able to introduce a service that we really need in Area A, and we will be able to do that without increasing taxes as a result of the new service,” said Area A Director Mike Sosnowski.
Under the proposal, the RDEK would use revenue generated by user fees to reduce the taxes collected for the Solid Waste Service. This will offset the cost of the new Flood Control Service thereby keeping taxation neutral.
“In 2013 we saw the devastation flooding can have in many parts of Area A. This new service would allow us to not only build up a reserve to take advantage of federal/provincial infrastructure grant programs, but would also allow us to maintain and operate our flood related infrastructure like dikes and berms,” Sosnowski said.
Under the proposed service, funds would be collected through property taxation to cover the regular maintenance costs of flood control infrastructure and create a reserve fund. The reserve fund would allow the RDEK to have the matching funding required when grant programs are available from the provincial and federal governments, enabling larger projects to be undertaken in Area A. The establishment of a service area is the first step.
If the proposed service proceeds, potential projects identified by the public, river engineering consultants and the RDEK, would be brought forward and prioritized by the RDEK board of directors.
The bylaw related to the proposed service was given three readings by the RDEK board this morning (April 4) and will now be forwarded for provincial government approval.
An Alternative Approval Process will then be held to get elector assent from residents in Area A.
“We expect the Alternative Approval Process to get underway in mid to late May. However, it will depend when we get the draft bylaw back from the Ministry,” added Sosnowski. “We will continue to provide information to Area A residents and property owners leading up to that step in the process.”
RDEK chief administrative officer Lee-Ann Crane explained that if 10% of Area A’s 1,374 electors don’t agree with the Alternative Approval Process, then the matter would go to a referendum.
For information on the proposed Area A Flood Control Service, you can visit the RDEK’s website: www.rdek.bc.ca.
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