Proposal to split electoral Area D entering final phase of public consultation

PENTICTON – Residents of the Regional District’s rural Electoral Area D recently received a brochure containing information about the proposal to split the electoral area into two as the district enters a final round of public consultation of the proposed changes.

The proposed changes are the result of a governance study initiated in Electoral Area D in 2015/16.

The proposal would see the area split into an east and west entity, through Skaha Lake and along the west edge of Okanagan Falls.

The eastern portion would remain Area D while the new western area would become Area I.

The split would divide the existing population of Area ” at 6,659 into 3,367 in proposed Area D and 3,292 in proposed Area I, in addition to creating a new director’s position, bringing the total number of directors in the regional district to 19.

The estimated annual additional cost to the taxpayer for an average residential household worth $373,371 is expected to amount to $1.68 per household.

The regional district is using the recommendation from the governance study as well as feedback received from the two rounds of public consultation – the first being through initial release of the governance study, the second being this final round – to consider a proposal to the province relating to division of Area “D”.

If approved, the division would take place in early 2018, in advance of the 2018 local elections, at which time a new area director would be elected.

The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen plans two open houses on Sept. 12 in Kaleden and Okanagan Falls. Meeting times are from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Kaleden Community Hall and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Okanagan Falls Community Centre.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.