Saanich residents should know about the next alternative approval process that begins on May 21 to approve borrowing of up to $150 million to redevelop the Saanich Operations Centre.
AAPs are said to be cost-effective and efficient, guaging public support for local government initiatives and ensuring significant decisions reflect the community's wishes. They don't reflect those wishes because most residents don't know about them, which almost ensures success.
Last year, CRD board chair Colin Plant was quoted as saying, "I think generally people don't understand what the alternative approval process is." In the last 10 years, the CRD used 17 AAPs and 16 passed. That's a 94% success rate, whereas the referendums had a 70% success rate. Which method would you choose if you wanted to ensure a successful outcome?
Public awareness is crucial. AAPs record opposition only. If more than 10% of eligible electors submit votes against the initiative (Saanich needs 8,735) the Loan Authorization Bylaw cannot be adopted. Saanich is using an AAP to borrow up to $150 million while Victoria used a referendum to borrow only $19 million more. Referendums, while more costly, give a much clearer picture of public opinion.
Saanich recently passed five AAPs, borrowing $9.6 million for capital projects which garnered only between 80 and 303 of the 8,735 responses needed to make the 10% threshold. Possibly some people chose not to register their vote because there was the threat of a 5.25% property tax increase if the AAPs failed.
Saanich recently spent $25 million on properties for Saanich Operations Centre use, causing the debt servicing ratio to exceed 5%, making public permission necessary for more borrowing. Borrowing includes property tax increases for debt servicing, an increase of 0.85% per year for the next four years, during which there will also be an increase of $3.60/year for water utility, $4/year for sewer utility, and $1.70/year for solid waste. At current borrowing rates, the total debt servicing costs for $150 million would be $9.5 million annually.
If you disagree with borrowing up to $150 million, find the info on Saanich's website and register your opposition. Be assured, there will be more AAPs in our future.
Jan Ellison
Saanich
