PRESS RELEASE
Williams Lake, British Columbia – The votes have been counted, and 10-year loans will be taken out to buy new fire trucks in Miocene and Interlakes. In Miocene, the vote tally was 97 to 26 in favor, while in Interlakes the tally was 195 to 34 in favor.
The CRD’s Miocene Volunteer Fire Department will see its new pumper in 2024, replacing the current 2003 model which is aging out this year. Property taxes will increase by up to 18%, equal to $22.15 per $100,000 of property value. This will finance a loan of up to $800,000 and be paid off in 2033. The current 2023 residential tax rate for the Miocene Fire Protection Area is $120.47 per $100,000.
“I’d like to thank everyone who participated in the referendum to let us know their wishes on how to pay for this critical purchase,” said Maureen LeBourdais, Director for Electoral Area F (150 Mile-Horsefly-Likely). “This new purchase will allow the Miocene Volunteer Fire Department to maintain its community fire protection capabilities.”
The CRD’s Interlakes Volunteer Fire Department, on the other hand, will see three new water tender trucks arriving over the next five years, beginning in 2024. The CRD will borrow up to $1.9 million through three separate 10-year long loans to make this purchase. Taxes will increase as new trucks are purchased – by 16.52 per $100,000 in 2024, $34.57 in 2026, and $54.27 per $100,000 in 2028. Similarly, there will be a decline in the tax rate as loans are paid off, starting in 2034. The final loan will be paid off in 2038.
“I’m glad to see that voters have approved the 10-year borrowing option, which will significantly reduce the taxation impact to replace fire trucks for Interlake Volunteer Fire Department,” said Eric de Vries, Director of Electoral Area L (Interlakes).
The results of each vote will be reflected in the requisition for the 2024-2028 financial plan which will be reviewed by the Board on November 8. Estimated tax rates provided are also subject to change depending on changes to property assessments in 2024.
