District digs into gas tax revenues

By JENNIFER DYCK Morning Star Staff Sep 08 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Some regional projects that have been pushed aside due to a lack of cash may have a chance to make it after all. The North Okanagan Regional District is receiving approximately $2.5 million for regionally significant projects through federal gas tax revenues. And the call is now going out to member municipalities and electoral areas for spending ideas. “It is a significant amount of money and we certainly have a number of projects that it could be used for to benefit the region,” said NORD vice chair Jerry Oglow. Administrators and councils of each jurisdiction will have the opportunity to forward their project ideas to NORD, which will determine how the funds are used. “My guess is we’ll be looking at projects that have region-wide implications,” said Oglow. A regional growth strategy, transit service from Vernon to UBC Okanagan and funding for Air Quality Committee programs are a few examples that administrator Brian Reardon noted in his report. But Oglow said the board may also consider unique projects within jurisdictions. NORD will be submitting a proposal to UBCM by March 31 defining which projects the region would like to have considered for funding.