Middle-of-the-night email?

Holy cow, talk about ramming.

Coldstream Councillor Kiss was overheard saying that "the email arrived at 1:30 in the morning", referring to Greater Vernon Water's 2016 draft budget, only scant hours before the meeting!

"I would've wanted more time to check out the details of the 30-page submission," said Vernon councillor Bob Spiers in his blog.

No kidding.

Rather than attaching the proposed budget's 30 pages, this blog has the link to GVW's 2016 Rate Increase proposal covers 6 pages here in an easy-to-read format.
 

Source:  Citizens for Changes to the Master Water Plan

From GVW's proposed budget, $655,000 will go towards reserves.

Five million dollars is slated for new projects (any projects over $5 million must go to public referendum) and $4 million for work carried over from 2015. 

"Wasn't the $4 million for work carried over from 2015 already in reserves?" questions Kia.

And the Kal Lake intake was already approved (i.e. budgeted for?), n'est ce pas?


The Morning Star newspaper, on January 31st, 2016, helps bureaucrats get their message across (in more ways than one), as follows.

"Water work adds up to $19 million, by Rolke:

There's a lot on tap for Greater Vernon's water utility in 2016.

The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee approved a $19 million budget for the water utility during a special meeting Thursday.

"The projects presented are reasonable.  We're trying to replace old infrastructure," said Juliette Cunningham.

The budget includes $5 million for new projects and $4 million for work carried over from 2015.

Among those moving ahead are replacing water meters, expanding dam capacity and extending the Kal Lake intake.

Overall water rates are climbing two per cent, and Cunningham says that's necessary given the scope of work required.

"It's a big system and many parts of it are quite old," she said.

Opposition to the water budget came from directors Bob Spiers and Gyula Kiss.

"I was reluctant to let it go without further study," said Spiers.  "We had no details until 8 a.m. (Thursday).  We could have waited another week or two before making a decision."

However, Spiers says his opposition was more procedural than it was against the budget details.

"I didn't see anything that should be thrown out but when there are 30 pages of figures, it should have more review," he said.

 "GVW could double their revenue by presenting a proposed rate sheet to GVAC twice a year," grins Kia.

They haven't tried that...yet.