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Pressure grows for water plan

Staff are being asked for timelines on the Greater Vernon master water plan review
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Greater Vernon politicians are anxious to resolve outstanding water concerns.

Staff are being asked for timelines on the master water plan review and the asset management program, as well as financing both.

“The (failed water plan) referendum is coming up on three years and we’re marginally coming along on how to finance it,” said Doug Dirk, Greater Vernon Advisory Committee director. “Things haven’t been moving along fast enough for the public. We need to be actively and progressively moving along.”

However, staff insist that reviewing the master water plan has been proceeding, including public engagement.

The other issue is the ability of regional district staff to take on all of the projects at once. GVAC directors are getting together this week to consider priorities.

“There will be an opportunity to discuss all of the projects and the capacity to get it all done,” said Juliette Cunningham, chairperson.

A report could be before GVAC directors for consideration in June.

Financial differences

There are differences of opinion on the funding of projects.

Mike Macnabb, Greater Vernon Advisory Committee director, says the $25,000 needed for DND fields electrical upgrades shouldn’t come from reserves but from any surplus during the Kal Tire Place expansion.

“Any residual left from the multiplex should go into things like this,” he said.

However, staff insists that the DND work is part of the standard parks budget, while the Kal Tire Place expansion is a City of Vernon initiative, with the regional district just providing funding.

“What’s going on with the multiplex and with this one, we have separated these two issues,” said David Sewell, chief administrative officer.