The Board of the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine (RDKS) intends to establish a service in order to contribute to the on-going cost of operating the Heritage Park Museum.
Currently, Electoral Area ‘E’ and a portion of Electoral Area ‘C’ residents contribute to the ongoing operation of the Museum through an annual grant-in-aid. The RDKS wishes to change the annual grant-in-aid to a Service Area funding model to provide an opportunity for rural Terrace area residents to determine support for this service.
The Service Area includes Electoral Area ‘E’ (community of Thornhill), and a specified portion of Electoral Area ‘C'. View the Service Area. The map can also be viewed at the RDKS office at 300-4545 Lazelle Ave. Terrace, B.C., Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except statutory holidays.
The proposed cost to property owners within the Service Area is in accordance with the Local Government Act, and the maximum amount that may be requisitioned annually for the Service is $40,000, or $0.0259 per $1,000 of net taxable land and improvements within the Service Area. For example, a property with a net taxable value of land and buildings of $300,000 would pay $8.18 annually, including fees charged by the Surveyor of Taxes.
In accordance with Section 86 of the Community Charter, the RDKS will seek approval by Alternative Approval Process (AAP) within the timeframe of June to August 2024. The AAP allows voters to indicate whether they are against a local government proposal moving forward. The process requires that 10% or more of eligible voters sign and submit official opposition forms (also called Elector Response Forms) against the proposed initiative. If this threshold is met, then the local government must proceed with a referendum (assent voting) before it can proceed with the proposal. Learn more about the AAP.
If a resident supports the proposal, no action is required.
Prior to the AAP process, the RDKS wants to hear from Area ‘E’ and ‘C’ residents regarding establishing the Heritage Park Museum Service Area.
Take the survey!
The survey will run until March 31, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
For more information:
Full News Release - January 22, 2024
Heritage Park Museum Information
Staff Report - December 15, 2023
Photo Credit: Heritage Park Museum