McBride Area Referendum Proposed
Prince George, B.C.- The Regional District hopes to hold a referendum on whether or not tax payers want to pick up the tab for a building to be used for the McBride and District Public Library and the Valley Museum and Archives.
The Regional District has examined a feasibility study on the challenges and limitations of current facilities, current and future needs, options to meet the needs of the library and museum, and a recommendation to buy a building at 521 Main Street in McBride.
The projected cost to buy the building, renovations, repairs an engineering report and contingencies, is $668,230.00.
The Library and Museum have fundraised and received grants totaling $47,700 which brings the total to be borrowed down to $620,530.
With an annual operating budget of $74,550, the taxation impact on residents within the service area ( shown in pink on the map at right) would be $27.47 per $100,000 of assessed property value.
For business properties, the impact per year would be $67.30 per $100,000 of assessed property value.
The Regional District will be forwarding service establishment bylaws to the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. If the Ministry approves the bylaws, the vote will be held within 80 days of the Ministry’s approval
Comments
how unfair is that. Business property is expected to pay that much more than residential property.
That’s fairly typical of every municipality.
Definitely feel for their community. Not much going well for them, but that is quite a tax burden increase on such a small community. Makes you wonder whether doing this would make them even less desirable to live in if their tax rates are so high.
They do need a library though. The current one is in rough condition.
Library? I thought that was replaced by the internet… :)
Perhaps there should be a bigger user pay portion attached to something like this. I haven’t been to a library in ages nor have most of my friends and acquaintances, but I still have to pay……. Kinda smells the the performing arts center stink that’s been kicked around here in PG.
may be they need to relook at things, instead of a library, maybe having one real good facility which takes care of everything. Community hall, library, museum, town hall. All rolled up into one.
You would think for small towns like McBride that are struggling with a weak economy the first priority would be to focus on initiatives to try and improve the economy and attract new business opportunities to the area. Once the economy starts to improve then focus on ways to improve the library and museum situation.
A library won’t help the community get through the tough times,
it’s all the local businesses that hang in there through good times and bad times that keep a community going like McBride.
“You would think for small towns like McBride that are struggling with a weak economy the first priority would be to focus on initiatives to try and improve the economy and attract new business opportunities to the area. Once the economy starts to improve then focus on ways to improve the library and museum situation.
A library won’t help the community get through the tough times,
it’s all the local businesses that hang in there through good times and bad times that keep a community going like McBride. ”
I’m sure they’re aware they should try to improve their economy, but its nearly impossible. McBride unfortunately doesn’t have much opportunity to them. They’re relatively remote, with a shrinking population. Any large projects have moved to camps and “fly in and fly out” economies which is hurtful to smaller communities.
The reality of their community – small, not many services, declining population, remote. When PG is still an affordable city to do business. It’s unlikely to attract business to McBride. Maybe they have a potential in the tourism industry. Lots of sledders in the Robson Valley.
They are probably having a referendum. At the citizens will have a choice rather than it being rammed down their throats.
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