Expect the cost of street lighting in Youbou to hit taxpayers harder, in the future.
In a bylaw introduced to the CVRD board members during an April 27 committee meeting, a report suggesting an increase by administrative coordinator of Engineering and Environment Joanne Bath was addressed for the first time.
The current maximum requisition, established in 2001, has been hit, at $21,800. As such, a new maximum requisition of $40,000 has been proposed.
The current acquisition amounts to $52.03 per property. Once the top of the new acquisition limit is hit, residents will play $95.47 per property, annually, through a parcel tax.
“BC Hydro raised the rates, and we need a higher requisition or we’ll have a shortfall,” Youbou/Meade Creek area director Klaus Kuhn said, after the meeting.
“Increases will only be to cover the costs. It’s simply cost-covering.”
Kuhn estimates that it’ll be at least five years before the new acquisition limit is hit, with parcel requisitions being raised in accordance to BC Hydro’s ever-raising rates.
“The only other alternative would be to shut down street lights,” he concluded.
The bylaw amendment will be made through an alternate approval process, wherein those opposed must fill out a form expressing their opposition.
At this point, the first reading of the bylaw has yet to take place.