Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: June 08, 2010 7:00 PM
Some opposition to borrowing up to $11 million for a new Vernon library is starting to surface. As of Tuesday, 30 people had signed a petition as part of the North Okanagan Regional District’s alternate approval process, which began May 26. “There are people sending in electoral response forms opposing the bylaw,” said Maggie Knox, special projects manager. If 10 per cent of North Okanagan voters — or 6,355 names — sign an alternate approval petition in opposition, borrowing of the funds can’t occur. Knox isn’t surprised that some people have taken a stand, but admits there is always an element of uncertainty when seeking public input. “You never know when you go into a process if you will get any signatures,” she said.
While the proposed 30th Avenue branch will be constructed and owned by Okanagan Regional Library, NORD will borrow the $11 million through the Municipal Finance Authority because of competitive interest rates (ORL cannot apply to MFA directly). ORL will repay the principal and pay the interest, fees and financing, and cost-sharing will be done by the entire library district, which goes from Golden to Osoyoos and Princeton. “I’m still pretty confident this is the way to go,” said Shawn Lee, an ORL director and Vernon councillor. “Borrowing through the regional district is the most inexpensive way to go.” It’s anticipated the additional annual capital and operating costs will be 50 cents to $1 per year for the average residence in the ORL region. The deadline for receiving voter responses through the petition process will be July 5 at 4 p.m., and the petition is available at the NORD office, all municipal offices and at www.rdno.ca.
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