The Alternative Approval Process (AAP) method initiated to seek elector approval for long-term borrowing of $1.38 million to cover the city's share of the West Kootenay Regional Airport Apron Rehabilitation and Taxiway Extension project has been successful.
The need for finance approval from Castlegar residents was triggered because the Community Charter allows for a municipality's debt servicing liability to reach five percent of its "controllable and sustainable municipal revenue" without needing elector approval. This loan tips the city over the five-per-cent margin.
The alternate to AAP is a referendum vote, which would have taken longer and cost taxpayers about $30,000.
AAP requires residents to voice only their opposition to the borrowing by submitting Elector Response Forms.
If 10 percent or more of eligible electors sign and submit response forms, local governments cannot proceed with the proposed matter without first holding an assent (referendum) vote.
For this AAP, the threshold for failure was 632 opposition forms. The city only received three opposition responses.
The project's total budget is $5.37 million. The majority of the funding is coming from grants including $2.36 million from Transport Canada’s Airport Capital Assistance Program and $1.66 million from the BC Air Access Program.
The city says this project will significantly enhance the airport’s capacity by accommodating larger aircraft and enabling simultaneous aircraft operations, improving operational efficiency and runway safety. It also supports long-term growth and economic potential and is expected to boost commercial aviation and tourism while enhancing overall reliability for travellers.
