The Regional District of North Okanagan insists a range of opinions are wanted on a proposed tax at Silver Star.
A “handful” of residents have asked to make presentations about resort association status at Silver Star, but the RDNO board has turned those requests down so far because a task force promoting the association is in the midst of a public process.
“It’s a procedural issue. If they (residents) come now before the board and then the matter goes to a public hearing, they may not be able to speak then,” said Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director.
The resort association, if approved by a majority of property owners, RDNO and the provincial government, would create a tax for marketing Silver Star.
Macnabb says the regional district wants input from anyone that could be impacted in the community.
“The board has a duty to consider all options and to hear from all sides. Residents must be heard and it’s just a matter of when,” he said.
The task force recently appeared before the RDNO board but that was to provide an update on the process and not to specifically ask the politicians for action.
Macnabb says he’s received 12 e-mails so far from Silver Star residents.
“Their concerns are all very similar — that the resort association would place a restriction (tax) on title on land,” he said.
Macnabb has been forwarding the e-mails to RDNO administration so they are part of the official record.