The future of how the Shuswap Watershed Council will be funded is likely going to be in the hands of voters in the Columbia Shuswap Regional District and in the District of Sicamous.

CSRD Directors voted in favour of a referendum to allow taxpayers to decide whether or not they want to continue using a parcel tax to fund the watershed council permanently, instead of using an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) where only people who oppose the proposal would have sent a response to the district.

Electoral Area C Director Marty Gibbons says the referendum as it is a “very clear, democratic process,” which he explains allows for a higher test on the issue.

“This (Shuswap Watershed Council) is a fairly costly service and originally when it was done, it was done through the Alternate Approval Process. For anyone to oppose the AAP when it’s done over multiple electoral areas, it becomes very difficult,” said Gibbons.

“I am a little confused why the previous board never actually did the referendum ballot when we did an election, which would have been greatly reducing the cost of this. But the bottom line is, I support the taxpayers’ right to choose whether or not they wish to continue paying $180,000 a year into the service,” added Gibbons.

In this case, the referendum is projected to cost $75,000, while the AAP was estimated at $2,500.

Despite the cost difference, Gibbons says he supports the taxpayers’ choice, noting the AAP has both pros and cons.

“Some people don’t feel it’s completely part of the democratic process, other people feel the cost makes it legitimate. My thoughts are that I support a referendum ballot,” he said.

Currently, the Shuswap Watershed Council is funded through a parcel tax of $9.02 per property – with the new maximum estimated to be $9.64 every year.

“This is not an insignificant amount of tax dollars going towards this and I’m really happy the board decided on a referendum rather than an AAP.”

Gibbons regardless of the outcome of a referendum, the watershed council will still exist.

“The only thing that this referendum is going to do is talk about the funding; are we going to continue to fund them to the tune of $180,000 a year out of this from the CSRD through the parcel tax? If this fails, the council continues to exist, it’s just going to have a little different mandate, in my opinion.”

The assent vote and its associated bylaws need final approval from the Provincial Ministry of Municipal Affairs before officially proceeding.

Approval from the Province will likely take six to eight weeks and if approved, more information will be provided regarding the referendum date and voting opportunities.

This referendum would only apply to Electoral Areas C, D, E, F, and G and the District of Sicamous, as the City of Salmon Arm and other participants have different methods for paying into the Shuswap Watershed Council service.

In a release, the CSRD says the Shuswap Watershed Council is a non-profit group focused on protecting, maintaining, and enhancing water quality and promoting safe recreation in the Shuswap.

Members of the Shuswap Watershed Council represent the CSRD, Thompson Nicola Regional District, Regional District of North Okanagan, City of Salmon Arm, District of Sicamous, and the Secwépemc Nation.