Options sought for ranch fees

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: April 08, 2011 1:00 AM
It’s unknown whether taxpayers will cover the cost of a water line to a historic site.  North Okanagan Regional District directors agreed Wednesday to consider options for possibly covering $15,000 to $20,000 in fees O’Keefe Ranch owes for extending the Duteau Creek water source to the Spallumcheen property.  “We’ve put significant dollars into this place to keep it alive and to get it where it’s at today,” said Vernon director Wayne Lippert of community and government funds towards refurbishing facilities.  “For the investment we’ve all put in, we should find a way to do the $15,000.”  The line was constructed last year but NORD has refused to connect it to the Duteau system because of the fees.
NORD does not have the ability to waive the fees under bylaw, so the options are using $4,600 in the economic development fund, individual jurisdictions contributing money or the Greater Vernon water utility absorbing the outstanding bill.  Will Hansma, Spallumcheen director, believes all North Okanagan communities should lend a hand.  “It always seems to be the same people – Spallumcheen, Area B and Vernon – that step up to the plate. The rest just pay lip-service,” he said.  “Every one of our schools uses it and it recognizes the importance of what’s happened here with agriculture.” However, other board members disagree with that approach.

“We have our own museum and arts and culture groups asking for support. In Lumby, there won’t be a lot of support for O’Keefe,” said Kevin Acton, Lumby director.  Dee Wejr, Enderby director, pointed out that her city has limited financial resources.  “Our historical society and museum are more important than O’Keefe Ranch,” she said of designating funds.  Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director, is willing to consider options for paying for the water line fees, but he insists that a broader issue is being ignored.  “The problem is the viability of the ranch. We have to look at these things instead of just throwing out little bits of money,” he said.  O’Keefe Ranch wants the water line to improve water pressure for fire suppression.  “Fire is a legitimate concern. We have priceless heirlooms in our mansion,” said Larry Bell, ranch president, adding that all off the heritage buildings are made from wood.  The matter was discussed by the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee Thursday.  Gyula Kiss, Coldstream director, doesn’t believe water utility customers should provide what he calls a subsidy to the ranch.  “We already went out of our way by extending our (utility) boundary for them,” he said.