It will be a 10-year tax program for Barlow Creek residents, to pay for a new fire tender (tanker truck).
The firetruck purchase for the Barlow Creek Volunteer Fire Department had been approved earlier by the Cariboo Regional District (CRD), so a referendum was held to determine the length of time, and thus the size of annual amounts, to pay for it.
“With 102 total ballots cast, 75 votes were cast in favour of the proposed extended borrowing term, while 27 were opposed to the proposed borrowing extension,” said a statement from the CRD.
With this result, the CRD can proceed to borrow up to $650,000 over a 10-year term, for the truck. This will increase the residential tax rate for this service from $71.70 per $100,000 up to $108.86 per $100,000 of assessed improvement values. Changes to property taxation for the service area will take effect starting in 2025, with the truck’s delivery anticipated in that year.
“There are only positive outcomes from this referendum when the results either way result in a modern purpose-built fire tender that will serve the needs of the community for decades,” said John Massier, Electoral Area C director. “The residents have chosen to finance the purchase over a 10-year timeframe to lessen the annual impact of the taxation increase.”
“Both outcomes are positive for the community in that either five-year or 10-year financing options each have their advantages,” said Barb Bachmeier, Electoral Area B director. “The new, necessary and upgraded fire tender apparatus is great for our communities in Barlow Creek and Ten Mile Lake.”
The current water tanker, a 2005 Kenworth Tender, will reach its 20th service year in 2025. After that, it will no longer meet the fire protection standards set by the Fire Underwriters Survey, which informs the costs and discounts of home insurance for being in a fire protection area.
Once the new fire tender is received, the fire protection fleet will be up to date and there are no anticipated equipment replacement purchases until 2041.
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