Review raises concern in Spall

By Tyler OlsenMorning Star StaffFeb 09 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/

Notice of a widespread review of regional district services prompted by the City of Vernon has members of Spallumcheen council on edge and wondering what it means for their own involvement in a variety of programs. “If the outcome of some of these service reviews is the city pulls out of them, there is no way that smaller municipalities could keep funding them,” said Mayor Will Hansma. Coun. Dave Brew, meanwhile, said the review was a good thing but that it opens up a can of worms as to the future of certain programs. Council asked administration to prepare an analysis of the situation. But it isn’t just the threat that Vernon might leave other communities in the lurch that has rankled Hansma.

He said there are other, more important issues, NORD needs to deal with. “Every time we turn around we’re holding a study on something and we’re stalling on the real issues...It’s no surprise the public thinks all local government does is sit around and spin their wheels.” And like Coun. Doug Dirk from Coldstream earlier this month, Hansma is blaming Vernon Coun. Barry Beardsell for kick starting the service review “He’s got a new group of councillors that he’s managed to convince there is something wrong. “If we spend all our taxpayers money on one study just because we’ve got one politician with a bee in his bonnet it makes me very upset.”
Hansma’s comments, however, elicited amusement and laughter from Beardsell. “Why is he pointing the finger at me?” he asked. Beardsell added: “When some questions get answered and there are no answers for others and you see costs climb, it signals to myself and others – and I emphasize others – that maybe a review is needed.”
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City downplays potential costs of review
By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Feb 09 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Scrutinizing every regional service the City of Vernon belongs to could cost a large chunk of change. The North Okanagan Regional District is estimating that a review of the 19 services Vernon financially supports could cost about $150,000. “We won’t know what the process will cost until we get into it,” said administrator Brian Reardon. City officials aren’t too concerned about the cost. “We don’t expect them to get that high,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert. “This can go pretty smooth. We want it to be a positive thing.”

Lippert points out that the city pays about 70 per cent of the costs for NORD functions it participates in, so it will play a large role in funding the service review. The city requested the service review as a way of determining if all of the functions are operating effectively and if its taxpayers are getting good value for money. “It’s good for our taxpayers to have a look at this,” said Lippert, adding it is also beneficial for the taxpayers of the other communities. Among the functions that will be reviewed are Greater Vernon Services, regional solid waste, the victims assistance program, 911, regional transit, animal control, the Sterile Insect Release program and the fire dispatch service.

The process will get under way with a symposium March 1. It will involve all elected officials in the North Okanagan, their chief administrative officers and key NORD staff. Most politicians hope the review doesn’t drag on too long. “The sooner we can get this out of the way, the quicker we can look after our people,” said Herman Halvorson, rural Enderby director.