Referendum or Alternate Approval Process?
Prince George, B.C. – Council for the City of Prince George has approved using the alternate approval process for two loan borrowing bylaws.
Councillor Albert Koehler says the projects (upgrades to Foreman Road, and the snow removal fleet) comes to a total of $7 million dollars. He says he doesn’t feel comfortable spending that kind of money without the say of the taxpayer and he is not a fan of the alternate approval process which calls on 10% of eligible voters to register their displeasure.
A referendum is needed not because of the amount being borrow, but because the loan is being spread out over more than 5 years.
Staff say a referendum would cost between $60 and $70 thousand dollars, but Koehler suggests all of the items requiring voter consent be bundled together in one referendum. While Councillor Merrick adds the other option would be to reduce the borrowing term so there would be no need for elector consent, but no one is comfortable with what she called “sticker shock”.
Comments
of course they are going to use the alternate approval process… no one really hears about it until it is over…. and who actually counts the ballots and are they the true figures?
and of course the question is asked in such a way that if you don’t vote it is considered a vote for their referendum.
but I think it is a sure thing that they will get to do pretty much what they want…..
Honestly, I’m all for the Alt. Process, if more than 10% percent of voters show up and demonstrate displeasure then it goes to referendum.
Why waste the money on a referendum if people don’t want one?
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