The Cariboo Regional District board of directors authorized $3,000 for a feasibility study to have street lighting provided in the community of Alexis Creek, during their Nov. 7 meeting.
The CRD will undertake an initial review and develop a public discussion and assent process as first steps.
CCRHD 2014 TAX RATE
During the Nov. 6 Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District meeting, the board endorsed a proposed resolution to raise the current tax rate for 2014 from $62/$100,000 to $70/$100,000 of residential assessment.
This decision was based partly on town hall meeting feedback and that two significant capital projects are in the planning stages including the redevelopment of the Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake and the G.R. Baker Hospital in Quesnel.
This increase will help minimize borrowing costs by building capital reserves.
In 2000, the CCRHD adopted a 10-year capital plan to avoid borrowing for projects.
During this timeframe, the Regional Hospital District was able to save approximately $1.5 million per year in financing costs.
Each of these projects is roughly estimated at $150,000,000. Based on the traditional 60/40 per cent split between the Province and the Regional Hospital District, the CCRHD share of each project would be $60,000,000 for a total estimated expenditure of $120,000,000 for the two projects. If the Regional Hospital District was to borrow this amount rather than using capital reserves, the financing costs alone would be in excess of $5 million.
DRAFT WATER ACT REVIEWED
The Cariboo Regional District will be submitting comments and feedback on the draft legislative proposal for a new Water Sustainability Act (WSA) which was recently circulated to all local governments in the province. In April of 2010 the Board considered the Water Act Modernization discussion paper, Living Water Smart (LWS), and provided comments and suggestions to the Ministry of Environment.