Coldstream still on the fence about joining municipal agricultural initiative

Coldstream has still not decided on whether to join a municipal agricultural initiative.

In June, the Mayor of Summerland approached Coldstream Council asking the district join the initiative, which would see municipalities work together to ask the province to provide funding to offset infrastructure and other associated costs with having large agricultural areas within the boundaries.

As Coldstream remains undecided on the matter, Council will be directing staff to analyze the taxes collected from Agricultural Land Reserve properties, and compare that to the operational and capital costs using the same method that Summerland had used to see if the figures between the two municipalities are comparable.

Council will also authorize Mayor Ruth Hoyte to meet with the District of Summerland and the Minister responsible for Agriculture and Food at the Union of B.C. Municipalities’ Convention. Council will also continue to advocate to senior levels of government, farming community and others; contribute to policy drafting; and participate in a joint submission to the Select Standing Committee of Finance Budget Consultation.