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Budget talks runneth over with water projects

More than 50 water projects were considered during the first round of budget deliberations at the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) – so many that directors devoted a separate morning to deal solely with them.
Siegers
Darnelda Siegers during round one budget deliberations at the SCRD.

More than 50 water projects were considered during the first round of budget deliberations at the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) – so many that directors devoted a separate morning to deal solely with them.

“Staff realizes that the total number of proposals and the requested amount is very substantial,” said infrastructure services general manager Remko Rosenboom when introducing the projects.

While some are connected to the ongoing water supply deficit, many others relate to what staff say are much-needed repairs and upgrades to basic infrastructure.

“We’re decades behind on some of these projects that should have been done, it’s just a matter of moving them forward,” SCRD chair Lori Pratt told Coast Reporter after the first round.

Most of the projects are expected to be funded through a mix of loans and capital and operating reserves for a total of approximately $10.2 million.

A combined total of approximately $900,000 in user fees and parcel taxes has been proposed to fund a handful of smaller projects, including an expanded water conservation rebate program, fire hydrant installations, a water meter data management system, as well as two larger watermain replacement and upgrade projects.

Fees, charges and parcel taxes are expected to be updated in January, with increases likely, to keep reserves high enough to handle project costs.

Directors will be revisiting some of these projects at Round 2, including a handful of higher profile proposals that don’t have price tags attached yet, such as a recent decision to expand the groundwater investigation, and the first phase of development for a water reservoir.

An estimate for developing a well field in Granthams Landing also wasn’t provided during Round 1, but has been included in the agenda of Thursday’s planning and community development committee. Staff are recommending that the board move ahead with the project, at a cost of approximately $8.3 million.

One project that did sail to Round 2 was the $7-million proposal to complete Phase 3 of water meter installations, which would see meters installed in the District of Sechelt and Sechelt Indian Government District. A long-term loan has been proposed for the project, which would require either an Alternate Approval Process or referendum. The project would be conducted by a contractor and a part-time temporary SCRD staff position who would act as a liaison between SCRD staff and the contractor.

“It’s about bloody time,” said District of Sechelt director Alton Toth before the vote to see the project move ahead.

District of Sechelt director Darnelda Siegers acknowledged that some people remain opposed to the project, and said the plan is to look at “different implementation options,” such as the ability to opt out. “I think this needs to move forward and get done,” she said, adding that staff will also look to grants.

Siegers said she believed more people are in favour than not, and suggested a referendum may also be an option over an AAP.

The SCRD doesn’t have a comprehensive service and asset management plan – something staff said is strongly recommended since it will give the board a clearer picture of the value of its assets and future costs, but which once complete will reveal “additional funding gaps,” according to a staff report. Rosenboom said staff have developed a plan to upgrade and replace $13.5 million worth of watermains.

“Water in the regional district is an incredible bargain,” said Town of Gibsons director David Croal, who compared the cost to what Gibsons residents are billed.