Thompson-Nicola Regional District board members will bring two resolutions to the Southern Interior Local Government’s convention next week.

One of those motions will ask for B.C. homes that operate short-term rentals to be taxed the same as businesses. Board chair Ken Gillis says residents have brought up concerns with that matter in places like Blue River.

“They are renting them out almost full time and setting themselves up really in competition with the motels and hotels that are in that business. The motels and hotels are paying the regular commercial tax rate and the people who are renting out houses are essentially getting a free ride,” Gillis says. “And as far as I know, they don’t have to comply with the same rigorous controls that are imposed by organizations like the Interior Health Authority.”

The TNRD will also bring a motion forward asking to lobby the province to allow online voting in municipal elections. That motion points out only 32 per cent of eligible voters actually voted in the 2018 municipal elections in B.C.

“As technology improves and voters continue to request more convenient methods of voting, it may be time for the province to join Ontario and Nova Scotia in allowing local government that are interested to add online/electronic opportunities as one of the methods to increase voter turn-out,” the motion says.

The four-day SILGA convention happens in Penticton from April 30 to May 3.