A request for funding from Okanagan College continues to split the regional district board as directors attempt to justify the expenditure. Just over half of the board were responsible for defeating an amendment to the 2011 - 2015 budget bylaw at last Thursday’s regional district board meeting. In November, Okanagan College made a request to the board for $600,000 over a multi -year period as a capital contribution to new facilities being constructed on the campus. The matter was discussed at the board’s first reading of the 2011-2015 budget meeting, where the original request was paired down to a $300,000 grant, to be provided over a three year period. The matter was brought before Keremeos Village Council at the December 5 meeting by Mayor Walter Despot, who was seeking council’s opinion on the matter. Council agreed with the regional district in supplying the funds, but the vote was close, 3-2 in favour. The biggest argument against the request seems to be over the fact that many opponents feel that education funding is a provincial responsibility, and something that municipal taxpayers should not have to fund. Regional district directors continued to be split on the issue last Thursday, with several feeling the issue should be removed from this year’s budget and referred to referendum during the 2011 municipal elections so that voters could have a say. Electoral Area “F” Director Michael Brydon introduced the amendment, which stated “That the board amend Bylaw #2543 five year financial plan by removing the $300,000 grant to Okanagan College over a three year period from the general government budget and put the Okangan College funding question forward to the 2011 local government elections.”
“Okanagan College will continue to operate whether they receive this from us or not,” Brydon told the board. “I don’t believe $300,000 will be a great benefit.” Osoyoos Director Stu Wells told the board that he supported a vote on the issue. “This discussion will spiral further down - people have dug holes on the issue - it’s rather foolish - I haven’t seen any relaxing on other issues.” Naramata Director Tom Chapman said that he “struggled with the estimated $2.13 average residential contribution that supports higher education being a big issue. (The board discussed a figure of $2.13, but the average residential cost is actually estimated at $1.97.) “I support it as it stands right now. We don’t need a referendum.”
“A referendum will cost money,” commented Keremeos Director Walter Despot, while his Similkameen counterpart, Area “B” Director George Hanson said, “ The electorate is going to ask ‘why are you doing this?’ We should put it to the public.” “What are we talking about here?” asked Princeton Director Randy McLean. “Two dollars and thirteen cents per household over three years. What are we doing?” The amendment was narrowly defeated, the discussion ending with board Chair Dan Ashton cautioning the board that they probably hadn’t heard the end of discussion on the matter.
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Don Quixote Note: Read posts here and NORD Votes Unanimous Support for New UBCO Water Chair.
The RDOS did approve this 5 year request to fund a Water Chair at UBCO. Their share was about $21,718 per year for 5 years.Our local NORD Regional Board also committed $19499 per year over 5 years of which the Vernon Taxpayer will pay $63,349 in total over the 5 years.
Looks like the RDOS will approve funding educational positions but is a little bit wary of funding buildings on educational campuses.
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