Anyone who objects to the City of Castlegar borrowing money to buy a new pumper truck for the fire department will have between Aug. 31 and Oct. 2 to make it known.
City council last week agreed to use a counterpetition process for the $1.64-million expenditure, which council previously endorsed.
The new truck will replace a 2004 Spartan engine that will turn 20 in August 2024. Fire equipment replacement cycles are largely dictated by the Fire Underwriters Survey. Using older equipment would result in increased insurance premiums for all properties.
Chief financial officer Ola Oladele explained that while it is unusual, the city needs voter approval in this case because the purchase will push the city beyond its five per cent borrowing capacity.
If 10 per cent of registered electors, which is 632 people, sign forms objecting to the expenditure, the city would be forced to hold a referendum at a cost of about $30,000. Those who support the purchase don’t need to do anything.
Oladele said it’s possible the price could go up again between now and October but it wouldn’t require going back to taxpayers a second time for approval.
“The key here is to advertise why we need a new fire truck,” councillor Sue Heaton-Sherstobitoff said. “No one wants to pay increased fire insurance costs.”
The loan would be repaid within 20 years.