Editor:
Considering the impending large tax increases on the Sunshine Coast, I feel very strongly that all three local governments have not set a goal to be more fiscally responsible with taxpayer’s dollars. Our community population of 30,000 supports three almost completely separate and stand-alone local governments. Amalgamation into one local government is not the only solution – but it is the boogeyman that local governments would like us to believe is the only other option. What about the integration of staff, physical plants, and services? For example:
Why do Sechelt and the SCRD not share a single local government building? The economies are self-evident – lower capital cost, shared meeting rooms, reception, parking areas, etc. As much as the SCRD would like to believe it is the senior government on the Sunshine Coast, the day will come when it is diminished in size as Gibsons and Sechelt restructure and expand their boundaries. Start planning for that now and save the taxpayers a lot of money;
If Sechelt and the SCRD shared premises, they could also integrate and share services such as building inspection, bylaw enforcement, planning, parks and recreation, and even certain levels of administration. One government could contract the services of the other’s department if need be. It is not difficult – it simply takes the will to act and do it. There is past precedent for this. When Sechelt was restructured to include areas C and D, the first bylaws for the new District of Sechelt were written by Rob Buchan. Rob was the planner for the Town of Gibsons. Sechelt contracted with Gibsons for Mr. Buchan’s to prepare its bylaws.
There is also the matter of machinery and equipment – what about a common works yard for the three governments? What about a common motor pool of essential vehicles?
We do not need to have three of everything. There are many municipalities with a population much greater than ours. Let’s have our governments expend some creative thought and energy to find ways to reduce the costs of duplication and triplication.
Russell Crum, Sechelt
