Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: September 03, 2009 6:00 PM
Some light is being shed on a process that could cost Greater Vernon taxpayers millions of dollars.North Okanagan Regional District directors unanimously voted Wednesday to publicly release most of the information about the City of Vernon’s attempts to withdraw from Greater Vernon water distribution. “Much of it is in-camera. People will be affected and will bear the cost of arbitration,” said Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director, adding the legal process to dismantle the function could cost $1 million. Beyond releasing correspondence and reports, NORD has indicated that future discussions will be public.
The city first expressed concerns about water distribution in 2006, and formal notice of withdrawal was made in 2008. Among the city’s reasons for withdrawal are significant changes to the governance structure, a lack of co-ordination of capital and replacement projects within the utility and a lack of accountability to water customers in Vernon. Director Wayne Lippert, who is also Vernon’s mayor, supported making information public, but pointed out that some matters must still remain confidential.“I have no problem with this going to the public but with some legalities, it could affect a decision. I’m not sure if it should all go out,” he said.
Macnabb bases the $1 million cost of arbitration on an arbitrator charging $350 an hour and the city, Coldstream and NORD all having lawyers.He also fears that the impact on taxpayers will climb even higher if the city does leave water distribution and all jurisdictions must establish their own systems.“If the residents of Areas B and C are going to pay five times the cost for water, they should know about it,” he said.Macnabb pushed for meditation as a less expensive way to address the city’s concerns in an attempt to keep all participants in the function.
However, Lippert says the city was forced to move towards arbitration because the other partners were not co-operating. “There were opportunities and the city was open to discussion. We were frustrated by the process,” he said.
1 comment:
Before Macnabb goes off on a tangent about Area C having to pay 5 times the cost of water, he should be specific as to who in Area C will be paying same.
Very few people in Area C are on or receive water from the Greater Vernon water authority.
If there is to be a cost for the so called arbitration then make sure that only those receiving water pay this cost, not all residents in Area C.
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