North Okanagan regional district using alternative approval process to borrow $4.5M
Global News
An alternative approval process will automatically pass unless 10 per cent of elected voters register public opposition by the deadline.
The North Okanagan regional district is looking to purchase a private utility company that services Silver Star Mountain.
To do so, though, the regional district says it needs to borrow $4.5 million to buy Silverhawk Utilities’ assets.
And since it’s a public body looking to borrow money, the regional district (RDNO) has to alert local residents, which it did on Thursday by posting a page on its website.
However, the RDNO says it plans on using the alternative approval process – a measure that benefits governments, as it puts the onus on residents to say no.
Often used by local governments, an alternative approval process will automatically pass unless 10 per cent of voters in a specific area register public opposition within a deadline, usually 30 days or so.
If that 10 per cent threshold is met, the local government can then either abandon its plan or hold a public referendum.
As to why local governments use the alternative approval process, it’s often cited as being cheaper than holding a referendum.
In this case, the RDNO says the threshold to oppose the AAP and force a referendum is 153 people in the Silver Star region of Electoral Area C. The deadline is Monday, Nov. 20 at 4 p.m.