Thursday, April 11, 2013

Cook pleased with proposed Fire Agreement w/Cariboo RD

While Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook says that the proposed Fire Agreement between the City of WL and  the Cariboo Regional District is a 'positive step forward'.  I don't share her view as her Council has broken the 'cardinal rule' in contract negotiations which is neither side releases details of a proposed contract until both sides have ratified the agreement and then both sides release a press statement.  I can only begin to imagine the outrage that the Cariboo RD Directors are likely feeling, given they would want to do their due diligence including looking at the financial details around if the proposed contract is a better deal for rural fringe residents compared to the Cariboo RD running its' own fire department to cover the same area that the City of WL Fire Department would cover.  Even if the contract is ratified by the Regional Board on Friday - there will be lingering outrage at the City for a period of time to come (similiar to when the City of Quesnel and the CRD solved their Library/Recreation Battles)

From the Rush:

The City of Williams Lake sent a proposed fire agreement contract to the CRD on Tuesday. Hopes are that if approved, the long debate and struggle over fire protection can be put to rest, at least for 5 more years.

Details of the contract state that the CRD will pay north of $534 thousand a year for fire protection.

One change in the contract would see the CRD pay over 25% less towards debt on the new fire hall, leaving the total debt servicing costs for the CRD at $31,500 per year over the five years.

Mayor Kerry knows that if all goes well this agreement will only strengthen the city and CRD’s relationship.

“This is a very positive step forward. The relationship with the CRD is important. The city does want to continue to provide rural fire protection. The sooner we can agree and sign off on this agreement, the better it’s going to be for everyone.”

The proposal now awaits approval by the CRD at their next board meeting which is set for Friday.

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