PUBLIC SAFETY INSPECTION TEAM FACES 2008 DEFICIT

Mission's long awaited Public Safety Inspection Team (PSIT) is off to
a rather shaky start out of the gate.

It was originally slated to get underway in May, but difficulties
finding qualified staff delayed operations until Sept. 8, causing a deficit.

The new team is expected to be a new weapon in the arsenal in the
fight against unsafe or hazardous buildings, especially marijuana
grow operations, in the district.

Owners of properties subject to inspection will be charged $4,900,
with extra fees added if PSIT attends the residence more than once.

With the delay, the project -- originally expected to be budget
neutral in 2008 - will now suffer a deficit of $33,651.

It has also delayed its ability to repay $91,350 in start up costs to
the district's general capital fund.

District staff informing council of the program's financial status,
said PSIT won't be able to complete as many inspections as planned,
resulting in a revenue loss. However, staff expect the team will
cover all its costs and the debt to the general capital fund through
fees generated in 2009.

In the meantime, the district will cover the operating shortfall from
its accumulated surplus, to be repaid with interest once PSIT
generates enough revenue.

The team conducted four inspections the first week of operation and
is expected to do four more this week. Staff expect to do a total of
56 before year's end, with about 85 per cent of the inspections
generating fees for the district.

In part, PSIT targets inspections by examining hydro records and
knocking on the doors of homes showing unusually high levels of
electricity use. If entry to the home is refused, the team serves
24-hour notice to the residents, informing them they intend to return
to search the property.

If the homeowner has a valid reason for increased use of electricity,
such as a pottery kiln, or a welder, the team leaves.

PSIT will cross-reference flagged homes with the district's business
licence list to ensure they don't head out to a legitimate home-based
business. The team is based out of the fire hall on Seventh Avenue
and includes a fire inspector, a building inspector, an RCMP officer
and patrol car, as well as a manager and administrative clerk.

Several neighbouring communities, such as Abbotsford, Langley, Surrey
and Coquitlam, have already established PSIT teams.