Fire Protection Referendum
Referendums on Fire Protection - Within a portion of the Yellowpoint Waterloo Fire Protection Service area
Why are the fire service changes being proposed?
Fire protection in the Yellowpoint Waterloo Fire Protection Service area is currently provided under contract with the Cowichan Valley Regional District through its North Oyster Volunteer Fire Department. Over the course of the last two years an examination of requests for changes to bring all properties within 8 kms response distance of a firehall and the long term requirements of the North Oyster Fire Department resulted in a decision to make a number of boundary changes. A portion of the service area is proposed to be amalgamated with the Cranberry Fire District.
Equipment located at the firehall station on Hallberg Rd. does not belong to the Regional District of Nanaimo and will be returned to the North Oyster Fire Department on January 1, 2009. Approval of Bylaw 1549 would provide a budget sufficient to purchase two vehicles and replacement gear and equipment for volunteers who would report to the firehall. The firehall would be operated by the Cranberry Fire District.
Who votes?
Qualified residents in parts of Electoral Areas A and C will be able to vote in this referendum.
What are the questions?
The referendum questions will be as follows:
“Are you in favour of “Yellowpoint Waterloo Fire Protection Service Area Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 1549, 2008”, which if approved, would authorize the Regional District of Nanaimo to borrow up to $560,000 to purchase firefighting equipment for the Hallberg Road firehall which would be repaid over 15 years at an estimated cost of $91 per year; and Do you approve of the Regional District of Nanaimo entering into an agreement with the Cranberry Fire District for the use of the firefighting equipment at the Hallberg Road firehall and at the end of fifteen years, transferring ownership of the land, equipment and firehall on Hallberg Road, to the Cranberry Fire District?”
What will it cost?
The Regional District would levy a parcel tax to cover the cost of repaying the borrowing under Bylaw 1549. This is estimated at $91 per property per year. If the boundaries of the Cranberry Fire District are approved to be expanded, property owners would pay a fire protection service tax to the Cranberry Fire District. For properties valued at $100, 000, this tax would be $64. Total annual fire protection costs for properties valued at $100,000 in the affected service area would be approximately $155,000, compared with an estimated cost of $164 with continued service from the North Oyster Fire Department.
Map of the Yellowpoint Waterloo Fire Protection Service Area
