Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit and Area G Director Elef Christenson yesterday voted against an RDOS motion to spend money and provide a carpet for the renovation project at Regional District HQ on Martin Street.

All directors but those 2 mentioned above – voted in favour of $58 thousand for new flooring after receiving some “free” money in an energy grant. The carpet of high quality is considered by the Manufacturer’s Association as “green label” for the lack of smelly carpet gas often evident in brand new installations.

So what is this all about. The Penticton mayor actually wanted to spend another $30 thousand on a sound system because the acoustics quality in the RDOS board-room is atrocious. Director Christenson, voted against for a different reason – too much money being taken from the taxpayers he said.

The reno-project has been going on for several months and the budget keeps getting a bit higher. One report stating the overall budget increasing by over $200,000.00. The overall payout will amount to $610 thousand. New lighting, new wall configuration, roof repairs,  better access to washrooms, parking stall alignment included. The main view that the public will have is a new lobby/customer service counter at the front door.

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More spending approval delayed on a publishing contract. RDOS staff want to publish material in the Penticton Herald/Similkameen News Leader for a contact of almost $10,000. Some directors from the area want all the audit/circulation figures re-checked before a deal is voted on. This is the second such conversation at the board table. Other bids from the Penticton Western/Osoyoos Times/Oliver Chronicle were rejected. All newspapers and media including ODN get limited RDOS advertising dollars for specific purposes like local meetings. This contract for general info sharing hitting the most residents in the regional district.

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Directors will write a letter “No objection” to a new location in Penticton for a casino near the old arena. Some concern by directors on increased traffic and lack of parking in the area.

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A bid of $388 thousand approved for a new fire truck in Naramata. The accepted bid from Rocky Mountain Phoenix for a Rosenbauer Pumper. This purchase will replace older equipment and increase their rating with Fire Underwriters.