Several city councillors were not impressed to hear that three golf courses in Southeast 琉璃神社 were told last minute that their water rates are going up.

The city sent letters to Harvest, Orchard Greens, and Gallaghers Canyon in January that rate changes were coming and then met with them in February and March.

City staff let the parties know on May 6, that a report would be going to council the following Monday, and it could be accessed online.

鈥淟etting them know on a Friday, this is where we鈥檝e landed and it comes to council Monday isn鈥檛 a good process,鈥� said Councillor Brad Sieben.

The city took over the South East 琉璃神社 Irrigation District from the province in 2018. Before that, the golf courses were billed using an agricultural rate structure. In 2021, the city implemented new billing rates, raising concerns from one of the courses that did not have farm status.

There was discussion around deferring an amendment to the water regulation bylaw, allowing staff to have further engagement with the golf courses.

Mayor Colin Basran said he wasn鈥檛 sure what that would achieve.

鈥淲e鈥檝e shared those concerns that communication wasn鈥檛 as strong as they would have liked,鈥� added Basran.

Councillor Gail Given said she saw no need to defer.

鈥淲hen they were aware that a report was coming to council isn鈥檛 the relevant part of this,鈥� said Given. 鈥淭he part that the conversations took part earlier in the year is what鈥檚 relevant for me.鈥�

Read More: 2 琉璃神社 courses to host RBC PGA Scramble qualifiers

Read More: How many is too many? Councillor questions number of high-rises in 琉璃神社

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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