Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle

Homeowner grant increases and traffic calming measures are two of several issues that the regional district wants to discuss at the Union of BC Municipalities convention this fall.

The board recently approved seven minister meeting requests to address the following:

  • School Board Boundary realignment for Apex
  • Emergency Operations Centre staff resources
  • Homeowner Grant increases for seniors
  • KVR Trail recovery update
  • Organics processing facility
  • Safety and traffic calming measures for rural roads
  • Transit cost apportionment

Regional District CAO Bill Newell said they believe rural government may not be treated fairly when it comes to BC Transit funding. He noted the cost to provide transit in rural areas is more expensive.

The board is also contemplating the issue of urgent and primary care networks (PCNs) with the Ministry of Health.

Newell said Penticton already has two clinics, noting that clinics in Oliver and Osoyoos are on the radar.

Oliver Mayor Martin Johansen said rural PCN money is being used to renovate IH spaces for workers.

“We need to be clear on the ask. Is rural PCN money available?”

Regarding traffic calming measures, Area D director Ron Obirek said safety is a huge concern in Okanagan Falls, noting they are still not getting anywhere with the Ministry of Transportation.

Area C director Rick Knodel said he has offered to put money towards signage and calming measures in rural Oliver.

Area E director Karla Kozakevich said citizens are willing to pay to have a crosswalk painted for school children, but the ministry refuses to allow it. She noted a traffic count assessment didn’t justify any traffic calming measures, which is “really frustrating.”

Summerland director Doug Holmes said this is like banging your head against the wall. He suggested a meeting with the Ministry of Education to promote student safety in this case.

The board is also hoping to set up a meeting with a minister to discuss increasing the homeowner’s grant for seniors to reduce their overall tax. Knodel said the intent is to eliminate the school taxation burden.
But director Riley Gettens said everyone should be investing in public education since “we all want to educate people.”

Director Campbell Watt agreed.

“You cross the line when you start discriminating between who pays. Does a single mom or unemployed have to pay? Those (school) taxes really have a well-intentioned purpose.”

Knodel said the idea is to protect people on fixed and limited income, noting he is seeing a “terrible impact” in the rural area, referring to property tax increases.

Under emergency operations, the board hopes to receive additional resources to enhance emergency response.
Under KVR trail recovery, it was noted that “egregious” damage has occurred in the Similkameen due to flooding. Therefore, additional funds are needed to replace trail infrastructure.

Turning to organics processing, the board wants to remove an area from the Agricultural Land Reserve for a treatment facility. The board previously made an application to this effect, but it was denied. Now it is requesting that the application be reconsidered.