Regional district directors learned Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, Similkameen voters opposed the alternate approval process for a bylaw for the RDOS to contribute to the operation of the Keremeos Library.
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February 04, 2017 - 6:30 PM
PENTICTON - A regional district bid to assist the Keremeos Library with funding to enable a five day per week operation has failed.
Results of an Alternate Approval Process by the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen to establish a contribution service to the library failed when 432 elector response forms opposed to the bylaw were received by the regional district by the Jan. 20, 2017 deadline.
A total of 421 responses were necessary to prevent the bylaw’s adoption.
Regional District Manager of Legislative Services Christy Malden says the purpose of the bylaw was to allow the library to maintain existing service levels.
The regional board was informed of the results at the Thursday, Feb. 2 regular board meeting.
The Keremeos Library’s present budget only provides funding for a four day a week operation.
Malden says there was some confusion regarding actual cost of the bylaw to Similkameen residents.
A homeowner with an average priced house of $185,000 would have paid an additional $10 annually for the service.
With Keremeos Director Manfred Bauer and Hedley Director Elef Christensen both absent from Thursday’s meeting, Malden says the matter will return to the board at the Feb. 16 meeting, when all three Similkameen directors are expected to be present for further discussion.
The board may proceed with a referendum or choose to abandon the bylaw.
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