Notice to electors within electoral Area E: An Alternative Approval Process (AAP) is being undertaken, as proposed by Bylaw 3923 to raise your financial contribution to the Aquatic Centre by 313 per cent. None of the other six electoral area contributors are being asked for larger contributions, and in fact Area E, Cowichan Station-Sahtlam-Glenora already pays the highest rate of all at $2.76 per 100K assessment.
That’s right, the bylaw ask is for over three times the highest rate now in place.
Not right, not fair, and in my opinion the AAP should not be allowed to succeed.
Let me give you the numbers overall: Mill Bay, Shawnigan, Cobble Hill, and Cowichan Bay have an averaging formula where they pay $2.31 per 100K assessment block to the Aquatic Centre owners to not be on a two-tier admission. Cowichan Lake/Skutz Falls pays $1.27, Youbou/Meade Creek pays $1.29. Again, Area “E” presently pays $2.69, the highest overall.
The proposed rate hike per $100K assessment from $2.69 upward to $8.43 is being proposed under the gun of the Aquatic Centre municipal owners throwing Area E back onto the two-tier admission if the Area E taxpayers balk.
Here you really need to scratch your head, and say give me a break. What are the actual likelihood, or chances, of the highest paying electoral area contributor being figuratively keelhauled at the pool to scrape some financial barnacles off the owners’ operating costs? Or is this an agenda to first break the back of Area E with this over-the-top tax increase under such threats, so that other areas can then be whip sawed for higher rates thereafter?
Anyway, to put this AAP aside, a minimum of 340 Area E electors (10 per cent) need to sign and return the counter petition forms by Oct. 5. Get forms at the CVRD office, or download AAP counter petition forms directly from the CVRD website.
Loren Duncan
Past Area “E” CVRD director