The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen will consider a $1.6 million loan to upgrade regional 911 emergency service.
(SHANNON QUESNEL / iNFOnews.ca)
July 11, 2013 - 4:36 PM
PENTICTON - An upgraded 911 system to the tune of $1.6 million will provide better consistent emergency services for 20 regional fire departments.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen was given the go-ahead to borrow the $1.6 million to pay for the new service. When the RDOS borrows money in this fashion residents can oppose it and force the board to hold a referendum. Only 63 voters opposed the loan process by the July 2 deadline. At least 10 per cent of the 6,884 eligible voters were required.
The new system will allow broader information delivery while keeping a local tactical channel. The board will consider adoption of the 911 emergency service loan at its July 18 regular meeting.
The decision to borrow the $1.6 million had already been budgeted Dale Kronebusch said. The emergency services supervisor said the district has 10 years to pay back the money. The payments might be offset by the $300,000 in savings the district received by moving the fire dispatch service to Kelowna.
To contact a reporter for this story, to send photos or videos, email Shannon Quesnel at squesnel@infotelnews.ca, call 250-488-3065 or tweet @shannonquesnel1
News from © iNFOnews, 2013