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Meeting about fire service are meeting next week

A meeting on the proposed Kettle Valley Fire Service Area is coming up on Wednesday, Oct. 5.

A meeting on the proposed Kettle Valley Fire Service Area is coming up on Wednesday, Oct. 5, allowing people the opportunity to learn more and share their thoughts in advance of the upcoming referendum.

The referendum will be formalizing the current fee for service agreement already in place with the Midway fire department. If passed, the fire service area would service Rock Creek, and include an increase to property taxation of a maximum of $151,000 per year, and borrowing by the RDKB of a maximum of $740,000 over 20 years for trucks and buildings.

A document from the RDKB notes the preliminary budget represents the maximum amount that can be taxed for, not necessarily what is needed—nothing will be taxed for that is not needed.

This referendum will be the latest of several held on the topic, most recently in 2011 when it was narrowly defeated.

Advance voting will be held on Oct. 26 and Nov. 2, with general voting on Nov. 5. The public meeting will be held on Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Rock Creek Fairgrounds. Regional district staff, as well as Area E Director Vicki Gee will be on hand to answer questions.