Editor's Note - as a result of Williams Lake Council proceedings on this matter last night, I had the opportunity to discuss some concerns I had with this contract offer with Cariboo RD Area 'D' Director Deb Bischoff and she thanked me for bringing my concerns forward and would take them under advisement. I am quite disappointed on how Williams Lake Council is again handling this matter and contrary to a statement by WL City Councillor SPS Rathor, it is the City and not the Regional District that is acting like a bully. WL Council has enough experience on it (some 40+ years combined experience by my count) to know that, in negotiations, you don't bring forward a proposed negotiated agreement until both sides have reviewed the offer and have agreed to it. The Cariboo RD Board will review this offer In-Camera (closed to the public) on Friday and should the Board reject it - the City of Williams Lake Council will only have itself to blame
Statement courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:
At its meeting April 9, Williams Lake City Council offered an agreement to Cariboo Regional District (CRD) for the provision of rural fringe fire protection services for a five-year term, beginning Jan.1, 2014.
The offered agreement covers the original rural fringe fire protection area, and uses a net residential assessment formula for operating and capital costs. In addition, the CRD would pay an annual $31,500 payment towards debt servicing costs for the new fire hall, which represents a reduction in the percentage of those costs the CRD pays from approximately 34% to 7%. This would result in a total payment of approximately $534,000 per year, based on assessments. The agreement would have a 5-year renewal option.
“Council has heard the concerns from residents regarding the debt servicing portion of fire protection costs, and we believe the reduction in this offer is an adequate response to those concerns,” says Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook. “As I have said previously, Council is willing to offer fire protection services to rural fringe residents, at a price that reflects the cost of providing that service. We believe this contract offer answers the concerns of both the City and the Cariboo Regional District.”
The offer will be formally presented to the Cariboo Regional District for consideration at the April 12th CRD Board meeting
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