At least two municipal governments have difficult choices ahead.
In Parksville, a divisive debate rages over a proposed supportive housing project for those in the area who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
The Regional District of Nanaimo is dealing with strong opposition to a proposed waste system that would have treated effluent pumped out into the Strait of Georgia.
While some are calling for the politicians in both instances to heed the will of the majority of the people (by either holding a plebiscite or abiding by their concerns expressed at public meetings), there’s at least one significant complication that’s no doubt in the minds of councillors and directors — funding from other levels of government.
In the case of the supportive housing project, the province announced $6.9 million in funding on March 9.
In the case of the Bowser sewage project, the federal and provincial Clean Water and Waste Water Fund is providing $7.6 million. Cost-sharing arrangements make these projects affordable for municipalities.
Whether stated or not, these funds no doubt have a time stamp on them. Use it or lose it.
One concern for some local governing bodies could be the implications of not following through with funding grants. Could that affect opportunities for future funding options?
That also means taking action on suggestions made by members of the public (changes to a project), such as relocation or the installation of a different system, may not be so easy to act upon.
Waffling, feet-dragging (real or perceived) or a change of terms in projects funded in large part by other governments may risk not only losing funding, but may find it tougher to procure funding for future projects.
Ignoring any actual opinion on the part of the politicians, decisions on these projects remain highly complicated; either go ahead with something that a significant portion of the population has expressed opposition to or cancel the project and run the risk of losing the project funds and also future funding.
No matter what side of the issue people are on, it appears local politicians are stuck between the taxpayer and potential lost tax dollars.
— Parksville Qualicum Beach News