Last week RDOS directors took out of the budget a $40,000 one-time expenditure to prepare for a region wide referendum – to fund conservation projects.
Today in a 9-9 vote Regional and Municipal directors said no to any expenditures (at this time) on this file.
The regional district cooperates with the South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program in working on environmental projects assisting to restore nature hit hard by man and development.
A conservation fund of $500,000 was being sought to enjoy funding security for many years to come. If taxpayers vote YES to a referendum then projects throughout the region would be funded.
One of the bones of contention preventing progress is the way money is being raised. At the moment it would be raised by an equal amount applied to parcel lots – no matter the value. Say $10 per household.
Some directors says there are poor areas and less poor areas and if all pay the same – there is an inequity of sorts on the ability to pay.
Response from Bryn White, Program Manager of SOSCP:
I understand that there is considerable support within the RDOS Board for the Conservation Fund, but at this time, a vote not to support a budget line item for a 2016 stand-alone referendum is due to concerns about tax increases being considered in a number of local 2016 budgets. A public approval process is required for this fund to be established in rural electoral areas. One option would be to bring this fund proposal back to RDOS for discussion leading to referendum at the next general election.
Municipalities are free to establish this fund without the cost of a referendum. Through our conversations with residents in the South Okanagan, it was clear that there is public support for local communities to have dedicated funds to conserve and restore the things that make this area special to live in: clean air, clean water, functioning fish and wildlife habitat, green space, control of invasives – the list goes on. We appreciate everyone who took the time to talk with us about what is important to you. Thank you for listening to our ideas and for sharing your own to make our communities more sustainable for now, and for future generations.
WHAT IS A LOCAL CONSERVATION FUND?
Local conservation funds are dedicated funds held by a regional district or municipality for the specific purpose of undertaking conservation projects.
WHERE DOES THE MONEY FOR A LOCAL CONSERVATION FUND COME FROM?
Nature conservation can be considered a service provided by local and regional governments, similar to services like recreation, libraries, waste management, sewer and water. Conservation Funds are generated by annual contributions made by households through a property levy.
While a dollar figure has not yet been determined, feedback so far indicates that a reasonable amount would be just under $10 per household, per year on average.
WHERE ELSE IS THIS DONE?
Several BC regions such as the Central Okanagan, Vancouver Island and East & Central Kootenays have had great success with local conservation funds.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Once established, community groups and other organizations apply to the fund to support their projects.
One of the biggest benefits of a conservation fund is that money from the fund can be used to attract funding from other private, provincial and federal sources and provide even greater benefit to our economy and communities.
source: SOSCP website