Valley mayors push for changes to regional districts

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: August 18, 2009 7:00 PM

Valley-wide governance is on the agenda again.Community Development Minister Bill Bennett met with the mayors of the Okanagan’s four largest cities Monday and valley governance dominated the discussion.“I was there to listen and I let them take the discussion to their priorities,” said Bennett.Participating in the session were the mayors of Vernon, Kelowna, West Kelowna and Penticton.

A lengthy process to review possible governance changes was launched by then-minister Ida Chong last year, with the options including a single valley regional district, or keeping the three existing districts with special authorities for matters like water.Most electoral area directors expressed concern that any changes would not consider rural interests, while the large cities insisted they were being ignored despite representing the bulk of the population.Ultimately, Chong decided not to make any changes in governance.

Wayne Lippert, Vernon’s mayor, says the cities’ concerns about the accountability of regional districts still exist.“We’re looking at better ways for regional districts to operate. Once you get into a function, it’s difficult to get out,” he said.“Everyone realizes regional districts can be useful and are important to the community but they try to do too much,” he said.

Bennett says he heard that message loud and clear Monday.“From the four cities’ perspective, they feel they have the bulk of the population and they don’t feel they have the influence over policy they should have,” he said.A task force is currently looking at the regional district structure across B.C. but Bennett is not promising any changes.“There is that potential for sure but it’s being done in collaboration with the Union of B.C. Municipalities. We’re not enforcing some unilateral change,” he said.The task force will present its findings to the UBCM in September.

Lippert denies the cities are pursuing the governance matter now because they weren’t listened to a year ago.“We need to look at how you can improve things for everyone,” he said.Herman Halvorson, North Okanagan Regional District chairman, wouldn’t say if he is concerned about the mayors pushing for governance changes.“That’s their right. They can raise what ever they want. We try to work with them,” he said.