Regional district directors approved a new tax line for Willow River-area residents Thursday.
A June referendum indicated nearly 76 per cent support for the service that will allow for up to $15,000 per year to be collected through taxation.
The money will be used to provide operating funds for the East Line Activity Centre attached to the new Giscome elementary school and provide long-term stability for regular as well as unexpected costs outside of the school's mandate.
The Willow River Recreation Association requested the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George look into the service to address a lack of meeting facilities in the area and the construction of the new school presented an opportunity for such a space that will act as both a gymnasium for students and a community venue.
"I'm very happy with the results from the election," said Area F director Kevin Dunphy.
Homeowners in Area F - excluding those in the Carboo-Ferndale Recreational Boundaries and the Sinclair Mills Community Hall Service Area - will pay into the fund based on the their land value, at a rate of $0.31 per $1,000 of assessed value. This could add between $25 and $42 to a property owner's annual property tax bill.
RECYCLING SERVICE
District directors also approved the first three readings of the new recycling line item for the rural areas and member municipalities except for the city of Prince George.
In May, directors agreed to extend their contract with Cascades Recovery through the end of May 2015. However, since city residents in single-family homes - who already get curbside garbage collection - will begin receiving curbside recycling in September, Prince George is only contributing to the expense through the end of 2014.
The remaining regional district residents will split the cost based on their property assessment. No more than $500,000 will be collected per year.
