A process is moving ahead but that doesn’t mean the North Westside’s elected representative is happy.
The Regional District of Central Okanagan has awarded a contract to EcoPlan International to review services, governance and community interests for the North Westside.
“My problem isn’t with the consultant but with the scope of the study,” said director Wayne Carson.
“We are doing a study to see if we need a study. It’s a waste of resources.”
Carson says North Westside residents have been clear that they want any review to identify governance options for the area, which is currently part of the Central Okanagan West electoral area.
“There’s only one question, does the community want to incorporate? The financial implications are the only question we have. This (services and issues) study will not answer that question.”
Currently, North Westside, with a population of 1,000 to 1,500 people, has one director on the 12-member RDCO board.
Many North Westside residents have indicated that current structure doesn’t represent their needs because the area is quite a ways from the RDCO office and service costs are growing.
Vancouver-based EcoPlan International will be paid $19,895 to conduct the study and a final report is expected by Oct. 23.