CITY AIMING TO ADD TWO OFFICERS TO FIGHT DRUGS

The Local Police Force Could Be Growing, But So Could Water Bills.

Council, pending final approval, added two police officers to the
existing force and considered plans to improve the water main on
Naramata Road estimated to cost between $4.3 and $6.23 million during
budget discussions yesterday.

Mayor Jake Kimberley said the additional officers will help police
deal with drugs and related crimes in the city, adding he already
discussed the issue with Insp. Dan Fudge.

"The entire community recognizes the depth of and scope of this
problem (drugs)," said Coun. Garry Litke.

While the city cannot tell the police how and where they should
deploy the extra officers, no reason exists to believe that police
would not heed council's wish to see the officers deployed against
local drug trade, said Jack Kler, director of corporate services.

The annual cost of the additional officers tops $60,000 this year and
$214,000 starting next year, said Kler.

Still unclear, though, is the final cost of plans to upgrade the
supply of water along Naramata Road.

Council yesterday considered several options, but postponed a final
decision until Monday by a 5-2 vote with councillors Rory McIvor and
John Vassilaki opposed.

Disagreeing with the rest of council, McIvor and Vassilaki said all
the facts are already known.

"We will have to make a decision," said Vassilaki.

Coun. Dan Ashton asked for the postponement to gather more
information after council received a staff report which presented
four financing options that could be done in a single year or spread
across several.

All city residents could see their water rates rise between $117 and
$68 annually under the proposed options.

While Mayor Jake Kimberley promised during the election campaign the
city would pay for 100 per cent of the upgrades, staff are
recommending a proposal that looks similar to the one residents
rejected just before the election.

The new proposal, like the previous one, would see residents pay for
30 per cent of the improvements, with the city paying the remaining
share of the costs which have risen to $6.23 million from $5.1
million thanks to rising material costs, said Mitch Moroziuk,
director of development and engineering services.

The new proposal, however, would cover only 150 instead of 178
properties, he said.

Budget discussions continue this month.