It appears that West Creston will finally be getting certified fire protection. The issue was put to a referendum after a formal survey showed support for the service was almost evenly split. The referendum passed easily, 146-82.
The vote allows the Regional District of Central Kootenay to establish a service area and tax property owners to provide fire protection service, and to borrow up to $450,000 for a fire hall. The taxation will total not more than $117,000, or $1.50 per $1,000 of net taxable land and services.
“I am very pleased to see this result,” Area C director Larry Binks said. “It’s been something I have been working toward since I became a director in 2008.”
Area A voters joined areas D and E to create a conservation fund of $106,500 by paying a $15 parcel tax. The money will be used to fund several conservation projects in the Kootenay Lake area. The vote passed by a narrow margin despite having a majority in only five of 20 polling stations. The overall voter turnout was 41 per cent.
Riondel voters rejected a proposal to borrow up to $1.2 million to renovate their community centre, which was once J.A. Cochran School. The vote was 116-31 against. The building was acquired by the RDCK from the school district in 1979, after sitting empty for seven years, but has never been renovated.