City of WL to negotiate new Fire Protection Agreements with CRD

Editor's Note -- see a related blog post on this item from last Saturday here

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

The Province advised the City of Williams Lake in July that the current Provincial fire protection agreement covering some areas on the fringe outside the City would be discontinued as of December 31, 2012 and that alternate arrangements will be required to provide fire protection to those properties. Additionally, two fire protection agreements between the City and the Cariboo Regional District are expiring and require renewal.

At its Aug. 21 meeting, City Council appointed a committee comprised of Councillors Walters, Bourdon and Zacharias with support from CAO Brian Carruthers and Director of Finance Pat Higgins. Negotiations will commence immediately in order to allow the CRD sufficient time to obtain the elector approval for taxation for continued fire protection services.

The City of Williams Lake Council currently provides fire protection services to a number of properties on the fringe of the City of Williams Lake under three separate fire protection agreements. The first agreement is with the Province under the Local Services Act and covers a large number of properties on the immediate fringe of the City. The other two agreements are with the Cariboo Regional District and include areas beyond the Provincial agreement including Fox Mountain, Esler and upper Dog Creek Road.

The Cariboo Regional District has expressed an interest in pursuing an agreement with the City of Williams Lake to continue providing fire protection services to the rural residents covered under the existing agreements.

“This is an important issue, and the City is very interested in working with the Cariboo Regional District to find a solution,” says Mayor Kerry Cook.

Any questions regarding fire protection services to properties outside the City of Williams Lake should be directed to the Cariboo Regional District.