New land for City Hall?

West Kelowna council is apparently going to secretly approve the purchase of land for a future new City Hall without the ability of citizens to approve or deny the location and spending.

Council can legally do this under current bylaws. However, is this a correct or ethical thing to do – especially after a failed AAP and referendum on the subject? 

This council used the same “creep effect” in the development of the soccer dome. The original cost was to be $1.6 million and is now at $3.7 million. However, the total does not include the cost of land or the cost to move a water main under the land. Both additional costs are directly related to the dome, but council’s rationale is they are two different budgets. 

Purchasing land of sufficient size for a new City Hall, with parking, offices for 170 staff, citizen access, and future growth needs, will cost taxpayers a fortune. Council has always stated it wants “all municipal departments in one location.” Purchasing land in Westbank does not achieve this goal. Building on the existing 11-acre site does achieve the goal and saves taxpayers millions.

The citizens of West Kelowna, do not need to spend that kind of money when we have over 11 acres of available, city owned land at Bartley and Stevens. The money could be spent actually building a City Hall instead of purchasing more land.

It could provide more sidewalks, road upgrades and infrastructure upgrades.

In recent months, council has said tax hikes may have to increase to as high at nine per cent per year. Why spend on more land when we have available land? 

Taxpayers must pay attention and vote wisely.

R. McLeod, West Kelowna