No objections from regional district board to City’s application to annex New Afton mine

NEWS/ CITY — The City’s bid to annex thes underground New Afton mine west of town took another step in a long process today, and one potential barrier was never put up.

A letter from Kamloops CAO David Trawin officially notifying Thompson-Nicola Regional District CAO Sukh Gill of the City’s intentions to extend its boundary to include the mine was received with little comment from the regional board.

If the provincial government ultimately approves the boundary change, a piece of the TNRD will be carved off and added to Kamloops.

“I want to assure you the intent is for all tax revenues currently collected by the TNRD from this parcel to flow through, in their entirety, to the regional district,” wrote Trawin. “I would also like to assure you that the TNRD will be informed and involved throughout the process.”

Mayor Peter Milobar told the regional board the City wants the mine property in order to improve the economy of the entire region. He said he has met with Director Ronaye Elliott, whose electoral area would be affected, as well as with Gill and board chair Bill Humphreys to discuss the application.

Director John Sternig said he now supports the annexation because of the assurance of no loss of tax revenue for the regional district.

“I’ve got to commend the City of ‘K’ for its approach to this annexation and hopefully it will become a template,” he said.