Editor:
Upon reading the article in the April 25th edition of the Coast Mountain News, entitled “CCRD receives 2.3 M for landfill costs”, we find ourselves confused as to what the money is actually, to be used for, and therefore have put together a series of questions, to hopefully help us, and the public, to better understand the CCRD’s goals regarding our landfill.
We were told the taxpayers needed to raise 5 million dollars for the cost of closing our landfill, and that was the one “big-ticket” reason for our horrendous tax hike averaging 61.9 %
1. Where did the 5-million-dollar figure come from? one would assume a consulting company was hired and has come up with a report outlining specific costs. If so, then why is the CCRD board looking to decide how this money should be spent, when the specific costs have already been outlined?
2. What is the CCRD referring to when you say capital and improvement projects? Does this mean you plan to spend money on improving infrastructure before you close the landfill?
3. What changes could be made to optimize the landfill footprint?
4. What are the new regulations?
5. What is meant by airspace optimization projects?
6. Why has the 2.3-million-dollar “windfall” received for the closure of the landfill not resulted in tax relief for the taxpayers, as this amount represents nearly half of the 5 million expected to be raised over the next 11 years?
7. Why would the CCRD not put the 2.3 million into a term deposit, where it could accumulate interest until such time that it is needed for closure of the landfill?
We would sincerely appreciate an individual answer to each individual question, in plain language, so that we all may understand the path forward to a sustainable future for our region.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Chris Matthews,
Chairman, Bella Coola Valley Taxpayers’ Alliance
