Why isn the $25 per parcel property tax specifically stated in the referendum question and establishing bylaw?
Referendum questions to establish a new service area do not normally include the initial requisition amount. The amount of the requisition and the background information are laid out in the regional district’s communication leading up to the referendum. The purpose of the communications strategy is to ensure adequate information on all aspects of the service is available in advance of the vote so residents have the opportunity to become fully informed before voting day. The Local Government Act requires that options for taxation and the amount to be collected be included in the establishing bylaw, this has been done in sections 4 and 5 of the Bylaw. The Board can then choose the method of collecting those taxes. In this case the choice is a parcel tax (flat amount per parcel). Based on the current number of taxable properties in the Electoral Areas a parcel tax has been estimated at $25. This would raise the estimated $522,000 needed to support Action for Water on an annual basis as de
