Local officials have agreed on the maximum funding levels for Frank Venables Theatre.
At a recent Oliver council meeting, Municipal Manager Tom Szalay reported that regional district officials, the Town and theatre consultant Wendy Newman agreed that the maximum tax rate should be 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.
At current assessment levels, this equates to a maximum of $138,000 in annual funding to operate the theatre. The maximum tax charge per average residential assessment would be approximately $25, Szalay said.
Mayor Ron Hovanes recommended the alternative approval process as opposed to a referendum at election time in November. He noted that funding would not be approved in time if they went with a referendum this fall.
The alternative approval process would involve council publishing a notice in a newspaper outlining the purpose of the funding bylaw. After the second of two notices is advertised, electors have 30 days to advise the Town that a referendum should be held. If more than 10 per cent of the electors hold this opinion, then the Town cannot proceed with the proposed bylaw without holding a referendum.
Councillor Dave Mattes said he was disappointed with the counter petition suggestion. He favours the original idea of going to a referendum and allowing people to vote that way.
Mattes said it would be simple to advance any operational funds required if the referendum passes.
Councillor Jack Bennest expressed his opposition to the “negative dynamics” of a counter petition.
“I like the positive approach to things.”
Hovanes said the alternative approval process has been used in the past (to buy fire trucks, for example).
But Mattes said he is totally confident that the funding referendum will pass.
Council made no resolution on its preference for an approval method. But it has invited regional district staff to the next committee of the whole meeting to provide more details on the time-frame and deadlines for both options.
