Two South Okanagan communities face alternate approval process for lakefront purchases

Two South Okanagan communities wishing to purchase waterfront parkland face alternative approval processes to determine whether a referendum will be required to authorize taxpayer funds.

Kaleden and Naramata residents were both given notice of the alternate approval process, pending bylaw approval by the Inspector of Municipalities, following a recent Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Board of Directors meeting.

For Naramata residents, a bylaw to increase the requisition limit to purchase Naramata Centre Beach through long-term borrowing of up to $900,000 is up for approval by the Inspector of Municipalities.

The bylaw would affect 1,730 eligible electors and an alternate approval process would require more than 10 per cent, or 173 of those electors to express opposition in order to trigger a referendum.

They have until Feb. 8 to submit elector response forms.

The community of Naramata recently fundraised more than $936,700 to help purchase the waterfront property, which is priced at $1,700,000.

Kaleden residents are also being asked to approve long-term borrowing of up to $3,500,000 for the purchase of Sickle Point, a five acre waterfront parcel with 1,700 feet of shoreline along Skaha Lake, again if the bylaw is approved by the Inspector of Municipalities.

The community contains 1,816 eligible voters who would have until Monday, Feb. 8, 2021 to voice their dissent to the proposed bylaw and trigger a referendum.

At least 10 per cent, or 182, electors’ signatures would be required.

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