Kamloops wants approval to borrow $26M with counter petitions

Kamloops voters will again be asked to speak up or hold their peace as city hall looks to borrow nearly $26 million in a pair of loans.

After months of delays due to a Canada Post labour dispute, city council will consider whether to approve two counter petitions before taking on the debt. If passed, the deadline for the counter petitions is set for the end of May.

Last fall, the combined borrowing under consideration reached $188 million, but a pair of projects were struck from the original list. Taxpayers will now be asked to approve a $9 million loan for a Tranquille Road sewer project and $16.75 million for a civic operations yard expansion.

Like the previous Build Kamloops projects, voters not opposed to the loans don’t need to sign the Alternative Approval Process counter petitions. It’s a process typically used instead of a referendum, which are more costly.

For the civic operations yard, the 9.77 acre property to expand the site was already purchased last year. The City plans to lease seven acres of the land to a transportation company for 20 years, using that money to pay back the 30-year loan. The remaining land at 965 McMaster Way, adjacent to the existing operations yard, will be used as for parking and equipment storage.

The Tranquille Road project is the third phase in a sewer main upgrade, which includes road, sidewalk and bike lane improvements between 12 Street and Aviation Way.

When originally considered, it would have included a $150 million loan to replace the ageing RCMP detachment and nearly $12 million for repairs at the River Street water treatment plant. The police station has been delayed further, while council opted last December to fund the water system repairs through utility funds.

According to a city staff report, the police station budget will be reviewed before asking taxpayers for approval.

If council approves the counter petitions at its April 14 meeting, each would require 8,527 signatures to deny the request. Though it’s yet to be determined, the deadline could be as soon as May 22, five months before the next municipal election.