Next to the municipal election, the hottest topic in Gibsons and the Sunshine Coast Regional District's (SCRD) areas E and F is a study of the restructuring of the three areas. (Only the mainland area of West Howe Sound, Area F, is included in the restructuring.)
The long-awaited technical report on the ramifications of restructuring is now in. Prepared by Sussex Consultants Ltd., the report is the result of several meetings of a committee composed of volunteers from the three areas.
Highlights of the report include the implications on property taxes if a new municipality were formed. While the report takes pains to compare "apples to apples" the authors explain that a number of variables can impact the final tax amounts for homeowners in the area.
The report, available at the Gibsons' municipal hall, the library in Gibsons and the SCRD office is 112 pages. A 10-page summary is also available. It can be downloaded from the SCRD website. A summary newsletter has been mailed to everyone in the effected areas.
The primary differences in responsibilities should a new municipality be formed would be in policing and roads. Right now the provincial government, through a contract with the RCMP, provides policing. After restructure, the responsibility for policing would pass to the new municipality along with 70 per cent of the cost of the service. S/Sgt. Brad Zalys of the local RCMP detachment said the current taxes work out to between $25 and $50 per household.
Based on the estimated population of 10,000 for the new municipality, the change would mean a cost of between $200 and $300 per household. The estimate is based on a force of 12 to 13 police officers at a cost of $95,000 to $100,000 each. Should a new municipality be formed, the provincial government would remain responsible for policing until after the 2011 census confirmed the population of the restructured area as being over 5,000.
Roads would also become a big-ticket item in a restructure. Right now the provincial government is responsible for the roads in areas E and F while the Town of Gibsons is responsible for its roadways.
In a new municipality, only Hwy. 101 would remain the responsibility of the provincial government. The report makes mention that the new municipality would have to spend money on infrastructure. However, the study authors feel that can be accomplished without the new municipality having to borrow money, essentially through short-term assistance from the provincial government and "surplus" taxes collected from residents before the full costs of policing and roads have materialized. Three public meetings are scheduled for area residents to glean information on the findings. The authors of the study emphasize that no changes will be instituted unless the voters approve. Should the committee recommend to the province that a referendum be held, it would still be up to the Ministry of Community Services to decide whether or not to do so. The meetings are Nov. 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Nov. 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. and Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All meetings take place at the Gibsons Legion Hall, 747 Gibsons Way.
