This conceptual drawing presented to councillors in their agenda package shows what the completed new fire hall could look like. Council has backed away from a referendum.
Dear Editor:
With reference to the recent article that appeared in Osoyoos Times under the headline, “New Fire Hall needed, affordable, fire chief says” on July 23, Osoyoos Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Rick Jones states there would be annual costs to each homeowner of about $46.80 over a 30 year period.
This leads us to believe the cost will be $46.80 for the duration of 30 years.
Information that we received from the Town of Osoyoos treasurer, indicated this dollar amount has been based on each individual property tax assessment, under the tax levies section of General – Residential.
It also states that each property will be calculated at 9.36 per cent, so this will allow us to calculate the financial impact to each individual property owner personally.
In our case this means we would pay an extra $54 per year.
Our own General – Residential rate has increased by 8.3 per cent over the last five years and the assumption is that it will probably continue at the same rate.
We must also consider that the interest rate of 3.3 per cent to pay for the money borrowed to pay for the fire hall will increase, no matter whether the term of the loan is for five or 10 years over the next 30 years.
When all these costs are factored in can we truly believe the cost of the new fire hall is “affordable”?
There should also be an assumption that there may be cost overruns during construction, especially as construction is not expected to start before 2015.
We should all realize that once a commitment has been made by the people to go ahead with the new fire hall, we are committed for the duration of the 30 years, maybe longer, and at the mercy of the town to not increase costs, due to any short-comings or oversights on their part.
It was also noted that Jones had his facts incorrect regarding the Public Works building, which was actually built in 1989, at an approximate cost of $250,000 at that time.
We think that this provides food for thought about what we’re getting into with this new fire hall.
Thank you for allowing us to write about this critical issue that is creating so much discussion and concern in our town.
Ray Vandenberg
Jean Clarke
Osoyoos, B.C.
