Obviously no one likes the taxman digging deeper into their pocket, especially when so many are experiencing challenges at home.
However, there are times when the short-term pain of paying a few more dollars in taxes is outweighed by the long-term benefits that will accrue.
Case in point, is the move by the Columbia-Shuswap and North Okanagan regional districts to purchase the abandoned Canadian Pacific line from Spallumcheen to Sicamous.
The Regional District of North Okanagan plans to borrow its entire $2.17 million contribution, with the service area including Armstrong, Enderby, Spallumcheen, Lumby, Area D (rural Lumby) and Area F (rural Enderby).
Within the Columbia-Shuswap, a service area will be established for proposed borrowing of $1.83 million, while the remainder of its $2.17 million share is being kicked in by one-time contributions from jurisdictions.
If this corridor is purchased publicly, a recreational trail will draws in visitors from around the world and that will bolster the economy. Preserving the former rail line could also help ease highway congestion in communities like Enderby.
The next step is for the regional districts to get approval from the voters in the proposed service areas to actually borrow the money.
There will be some who struggle with the concept of more government debt or the impact on their personal finances. But hopefully they will look beyond the dollars and cents and embrace the vision our regional officials have.
It is time to make this corridor a reality.