COUNCIL BRIEFS COUNCIL LOOKING INTO GROW OP BYLAW

District council has instructed staff to look into the possibility of
developing a new bylaw, where homeowners throughout the district could
be held accountable for police and fire department costs should a
marijuana grow be discovered on their property.

The Grow Op Bylaw could come into effect when a homeowner cannot prove
that they regularly inspect their rental homes, as allowed under
24-hours notice to a tenant, said Mayor Gordon Poole.

Not only could landlords be held responsible for the policing costs
after a home has been busted, but the occupancy permit could be
removed by the district until the home is brought up to code,
suggested Poole.

RCMP Overbudget

The local RCMP detachment is $12,000 over budget for the 2003-2004
fiscal year, however that figure does not necessarily relate to a
increase in the police requisition. Surplus and deficit budgets from
RCMP detachments around the province are reconciled yearly and any
deficit or surplus provincially is shared equally by all
municipalities who pay for their own policing, explained the district
treasurer.

New fees for money making events?

Council is also looking at the possibility of a new Special Event
Bylaw to recover extra policing costs.

Had a recent Rave planned within the district boundaries, gone ahead
it would have been a "considerable costs in police" said Poole.

The bylaw is not expected to be put into force for community events
like Brigade Days, but events which are "strictly for profit."