West Kelowna has passed, for now, on joining a regional food waste collection program.
It香蕉视频直播檚 the second community, following in Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 footsteps, to reject the Regional District Central Okanagan (RDCO) project, mostly due to the expense.
The cost would be approximately $63 per year for a single-family household. Without Kelowna's participation that amount rises to more than $150.
香蕉视频直播淭hey do play a big role in helping fund services through the regional district,香蕉视频直播 Councillor Stephen Johnston pointed out. 香蕉视频直播淔or me at this time, this is not an expense in good conscience I can put forward to our residents.香蕉视频直播
While 73 per cent of Central Okanagan residents surveyed liked the idea, without Kelowna on board, less than 13 per cent would be willing to take part. About 50 per cent of residents supported paying for the program.
Council liked the program's concept, but Coun. Rick de Jong echoed Johnston香蕉视频直播檚 cost concerns.
香蕉视频直播淧articularly with this economy that we香蕉视频直播檙e wresting with, costs matter,香蕉视频直播 de Jong noted. 香蕉视频直播淲e need to be prudent with our monies.香蕉视频直播
The RDCO香蕉视频直播檚 plan involves letting residents toss food waste into green bins, expanding yard waste pickup to weekly year-round, and reducing garbage collection to every other week.
A new transfer station would also be needed香蕉视频直播攅stimated at $12 million.
Mayor Gord Milsom said West Kelowna may consider joining the program in the future.
香蕉视频直播淏ut we can香蕉视频直播檛 be there on our own,香蕉视频直播 he said. 香蕉视频直播淲ith Kelowna not participating, the $150 plus is something we can香蕉视频直播檛 ask our residents to pay. It香蕉视频直播檚 only going to work if we all come together as a region.香蕉视频直播
Kelowna city staff noted significant uncertainties with the program including the location of a new transfer station, design, technical features, and space requirements.
香蕉视频直播淭hese factors香蕉视频直播攃ombined with cost香蕉视频直播攎ake this the wrong time to proceed,香蕉视频直播 a staff report stated.
The RDCO will be pitching its food waste collection program to other Central Okanagan communities.