Fire Truck Referendums successful in Miocene/Interlakes

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

The votes have been counted, and ten-year loans will be taken out to buy new fire trucks in Miocene and Interlakes. In Miocene, the vote tally was 97 to 26 in favour, while in Interlakes the tally was 195 to 34 in favour.

The CRD’s Miocene Volunteer Fire Department will see its new pumper truck in 2024, replacing the current 2003 model which is aging out this year. Property taxes will increase by up to 18%, equal to $22.15 per $100,000 of property value. This will finance a loan of up to $800,000 and be paid off in 2033. The current 2023 residential tax rate for the Miocene Fire Protection Area is $120.47 per $100,000.

“I’d like to thank everyone who participated in the referendum to let us know their wishes on how to pay for this critical purchase,” said Maureen LeBourdais, Director for Electoral Area F (150 Mile-Horsefly-Likely). “This new purchase will allow the Miocene Volunteer Fire Department to maintain its community fire protection capabilities.”

The CRD’s Interlakes Volunteer Fire Department, on the other hand, will see three new water tender trucks arriving over the next five years, beginning in 2024. The CRD will borrow up to $1.9 million through three separate ten-year long loans to make this purchase. Taxes will increase as new trucks are purchased – by 16.52 per $100,000 in 2024, $34.57 in 2026, and $54.27 per $100,000 in 2028. Similarly, there will be a decline in the tax rate as loans are paid off, starting in 2034. The final loan will be paid of in 2038.

“I’m glad to see that voters have approved the ten-year borrowing option, which will significantly reduce the taxation impact to replace fire trucks for Interlake Volunteer Fire Department,” said Eric de Vries, Director of Electoral Area L (Interlakes).

The results of each vote will be reflected in in the requisition for the 2024-2028 financial plan which will be reviewed by the Board on November 8. Estimated tax rates provided are also subject to change depending on changes to property assessments in 2024.

Interlakes Fire Truck referendum webpage

Miocene Fire Truck referendum webpage

Referendum date set on loans for new fire trucks in Miocene, Interlakes

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

Referendums are being scheduled for the Miocene and Interlakes areas to authorize loans for new fire trucks. On November 4, 2023, voters will be asked to cast their vote and decide on how funds will be borrowed to purchase new fire trucks.

Interlakes residents are being asked to cast their vote on a proposal to borrow up to $1.9 million through three separate loans each financed over ten years to purchase three new water trucks for the Interlakes Volunteer Fire Department. These vehicles will reach their end of life over the next five years and must be replaced to maintain the department’s certification with the Fire Underwriters Survey. If approved, residential taxation for fire protection would increase by up to $54.27 per $100,000 assessed value, or approximately 41%, to fund total borrowing costs of over $2.3 million.

Miocene residents are being asked to vote on a proposal to borrow up to $800,000 over the next ten years to finance the replacement of a pumper truck. This vehicle will reach its end of life in 2024 and must be replaced for similar reasons. If approved, residential taxation for fire protection would increase by up to $22.15 per $100,000, or 18%, to finance total borrowing costs of approximately $1 million.

If the votes cast defeat the proposal, then the regional district will need to finance the purchases over a five-year term. Fire trucks in both departments must be replaced to maintain the departments’ fire insurance rating, which could impact resident’s property insurance rates. While shorter borrowing terms does not require elector approval, it would have a much larger yearly taxation impact than the proposed ten-year borrowing. Fire protection taxation in Interlakes would need to increase by up to $92.71 per $100,000 (over 124%) for three five-year loans, while a 38% increase ($29.14 per $100,000) would be required in Miocene for one loan.

The regional district will be distributing information by mail directly to households within both fire protection areas, which will include further details about the proposed borrowing and voting information. For more information on the proposals and voting opportunities, residents can visit the referendum websites through the links below, or call the Cariboo Regional District’s Chief Elections Officer at 1-800-665-1636.

Interlakes fire trucks referendum information: www.cariboord.ca/interlakes-fire-truck

Miocene fire trucks referendum information: www.cariboord.ca/miocene-fire-truck