Residents only have one week left in an alternative approval process that could see the reclassification of West Kelowna from a district municipality to a city.

Eligible resident and non-resident electors have until 4 p.m. May 11 to complete the approved elector response form and submit it to Municipal Hall.

However, Gordon Ficke, president of the Historic Westbank Association, is concerned with the process and recently addressed a letter to mayor and council.

Ficke believes a town hall meeting should have been called to present the pros and cons of becoming a city, where citizens could ask questions of Mayor Doug Findlater and council, instead of having an alternative approval process.

“Why hasn’t there been previous public input allowed through holding open houses or public forums, where citizens can ask staff important questions regarding this crucial juncture for the community?” he writes.
 
A key question for Ficke is: will property taxes increase significantly due to the proposed change in status, and what other costs will residents incur?

“The Historic Westbank Association has always stood behind the viable concept of our town of Westbank within the boundaries of the District of West Kelowna. Supporting and preserving Westbank’s heritage and honouring our pioneers is paramount in uniting our community and promoting our downtown economic development for the future.”

Ficke is curious about what the future holds for the relationship between the district and Westbank First Nation, an economic driver on the Westside.

Now Ficke, through the association, is calling on the municipality to hold a public open house and forum for citizens as well as businesses and service organizations to have their questions and concerns addressed.

“Staff could then bring those questions and concerns to council so they can be adequately addressed and answered frankly.”

Ficke would prefer public approval through a referendum. He recognizes it would be costly, but that everyone deserves the opportunity to vote on the proposal.

According to the DWK website, if 10 per cent of the municipality’s 23,060 eligible electors oppose, a report will be provided to council outlining available options. If residents are not opposed, they don’t have to do anything.

Elector response forms and more information about the proposed reclassification and the AAP is available on the District’s website.