RDNO staff recommends referendum for mosquito control funding

Jan 10, 2024 | 6:30 AM

Funding to control mosquitos will be the subject of a special meeting of the Regional District of North Okanagan board of directors on Wednesday (Jan. 10).

RDNO staff are recommending board members approve an referendum this spring for residents of Electoral Area F (Rural Enderby).

The vote will determine if ratepayers support starting a mosquito control service funded by RDNO, which would cost up to $289,000 a year, or $0.17 per $1,000 of net taxable value of land and improvements, whichever is greater.

Based on the average residential assessment of $591,000 in 2023, the average tax impact will be approximately $99.95 per year, starting in 2024.

“The intent of the program identified through the Pest Management Plan (PMP) is for a contractor to apply the biological controls outlined in the PMP to mosquito larval habitats within areas of the Shuswap River floodplain, beginning in 2024 to help prevent the spread of mosquitos,” the RDNO said in a notice to electors.

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If given the go ahead by the board, the referendum would be held March 2, 2024 at the Enderby Seniors Complex with advance voting on Feb. 21 and 28.

The vote would cost about $30,000 to hold.

The proposed question would ask:

“Are you in favour of the Regional District of North Okanagan adopting “Electoral Area “F” Mosquito Control Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2973, 2023″, which would establish a service within the boundary of Electoral Area “F” to control mosquito larval habitats within specific areas of the Shuswap River floodplain to prevent the spread of mosquitos; which if approved will result in an annual requisition to not exceed the greater of $289,000 or $0.17 per $1,000 of net taxable value of land and improvements.”

An earlier effort by RDNO to get the funding approved was derailed in an alternative approval process (AAP) which wrapped up on Dec. 18, 2023, and saw 1,187 electors opposed (30.7 per cent). The AAP requires 10 percent or more of the eligible electors to sign and submit response forms in opposition to a proposed initiative to require the local government to obtain assent of the electors in order to proceed.

“As the AAP was not successful, the board passed a motion at the December 20, 2023 meeting to move forward with an assent vote (referendum), which must be held within 80 days of the AAP deadline,” a staff report stated.

Communities in Area F include Grindrod, Grandview Bench, Ashton Creek, Kingfisher/Mabel Lake and Mara.

by Pete McIntyre

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