Those living on Cortes Island will find recently approved bylaws in the 2020-2024 Strathcona Regional District financial plan.
These include Bylaw 328 First Responder Service and Bylaw 341 Cortes Island Hall Tax Service.
During a Dec. 5th regional board meeting, SRD members authorized staff to commence negotiations with the Cortes Island Fire Fighters Association regarding a contract to provide a first responder service.
The Board also authorized staff to begin negotiations with the Whaletown Community Club and the Southern Cortes Community Association regarding contractual arrangements for funding core operating expenses for community hall facilities.
Cortes Island electors had the opportunity to vote on both bylaws with official results declared on Oct. 30th.
83% of 550 electors voted in favour of authorizing the SRD to annually request no more than $45,000 through taxation of real property within Cortes Island for training, equipping and deploying personnel to provide first aid during medical emergencies until relieved by ambulance paramedics.
75% of 549 electors voted to authorize the SRD to annually request no more than $80,000 through taxation of real property within Cortes Island for financial assistance to the Whaletown Community Club and the Southern Cortes Community Association.
“The SRD Board is happy to now move forward and add these two services into our 2020-2024 financial plan,” says Strathcona Regional District Chair Michele Babchuk. “Although this seemed to be a long time in the making, I am confident that the results of the assent voting are indisputable and are democratically and procedurally sound. I have no doubt that they will be services that will enhance Cortes Island.”
The Strathcona Regional District is a partnership of four electoral areas and five municipalities providing services to approximately 44,000 residents.
