Interlakes residents voted 195 to 34 in favour of financing the purchase of three new fire trucks for the Interlakes Volunteer Fire Department over 10 years, in a referendum held Saturday (Nov. 4).
The question presented to area residents by the Cariboo Regional District was whether they supported borrowing the funds through three separate loans, each financed over a decade. If approved, residential taxation for fire protection would increase by up to $54.27 per $100,000 assessed value, or approximately 41 per cent, to fund total borrowing costs of over $2.3 million.
The second option was to finance the purchase over five years, which would have seen residential taxation for fire protection in Interlakes increase by up to $92.71 per $100,000 (over 124 per cent) for three five-year loans.
“I’m glad to see that voters have approved the 10-year borrowing option, which will significantly reduce the taxation impact to replace fire trucks for Interlakes Volunteer Fire Department (IVFD),” said Eric de Vries, district director of Area L (Interlakes).
The three existing trucks will reach end of life over the next five years and must be replaced in order for the department to retain its certification with the Fire Underwriters Survey.
The current 2023 residential tax rate for the Interlakes Fire Protection Area is $76.70 per $100,000. Taxes will increase as new trucks are purchased – by $16.52 per $100,000 in 2024, $34.57 in 2026, and $54.27 per $100,000 in 2028. Similarly, there will be a decline in the tax rate as loans are paid off, starting in 2034. The final loan will be paid off in 2038.
Chief Poul Beer of the IVFD said the tender currently being used at Hall One is borrowed as the hall’s tender was condemned after breaking an axle. A replacement tender with a 2,000-gallon capacity is on order with delivery expected in early 2024.
In a similar referendum also held Saturday, residents of Miocene voted 97 to 26 in favour of financing the purchase of a new fire truck over 10 years.
The Miocene Volunteer Fire Department will take delivery of the new truck in 2024. It will replace the current 2003 model, aging out this year.
Property taxes for Miocene residents will increase by up to 18 per cent, equal to $22.15 per $100,000 of property value. This will finance a loan of up to $800,000 and be paid off in 2033. The current 2023 residential tax rate for the Miocene Fire Protection Area is $120.47 per $100,000.
“I’d like to thank everyone who participated in the referendum to let us know their wishes on how to pay for this critical purchase,” said Maureen LeBourdais, director for Area F (150 Mile-Horsefly-Likely). “This new purchase will allow the Miocene Volunteer Fire Department to maintain its community fire protection capabilities.”
The results of each vote will be reflected in the requisition for the 2024-2028 financial plan, which will be reviewed by the district board on Nov. 8. Estimated tax rates are also subject to change depending on changes to property assessments in 2024.