Hydrant Issue Makes the Newspaper

Maybe the other 17 private fire hydrant owners--or is it 123?--will unite to help fight this bureaucratic discrimination (August 1st blog story).

Morning Star Story August 3, 2014, by Jennifer Smith:

"Hydrant fees create debate"

A Coldstream business owner claims she is unfairly being drowned in charges for a fire hydrant on her land, while others are getting a break.

Barb Mitchell, owner of Highlands Golf Course, installed a hydrant on her property as per requirements when the clubhouse was constructed.

But the cost of having a hydrant on her property is surging annually.  The tax started out in 2002 as $225, last year it was $475 and in 2014 it has climbed to $560.

Meanwhile Mitchell claims that Greater Vernon Water charges far less for "public" hydrants.

"How fair is it that Greater Vernon Water charges $133 annually for each public hydrant and they charge me $560?" Mitchell asked Coldstream council Monday.

Despite being on private property, Mitchell says the fire department will use the hydrant if needed to fight a nearby fire.

"The Highlands Golf fire hydrant is indeed part of Coldstream infrastructure regardless who owns it."

Coldstream is eager to examine the issue and will be bringing it up at a future Greater Vernon Advisory Committee meeting.

"We should re-examine the rate charged to private hydrants," said Coun. Maria Besso.

While Mitchell says she would happily pay the same $133 rate for a public hydrant, Coldstream administration has indicated that there are no such charges.

"GVW owns the hydrants with the local municipality paying for yearly maintenance of the hydrants," said Michael Baker, Coldstream's director of engineering services, in a report.

"There are no annual fees paid by member municipalities for the public fire hydrants."


So Coldstream pays +$48,000 for maintenance of 327 fire hydrants?  Sheesh...sounds like bureaucrats are leaving no tone unsterned...(stone unturned).  

OK, so if I pay a maintenance company to maintain the hydrant each year, can I also have no fees for the infrastructure I contribute to Coldstream?

I thought not.

"Good luck with that one," offers Kia, procedural fairness from bureaucrats is a one-page book".