Gabriola Island residents will have their say about whether they want their tax dollars used to pay for a community health service worker.
According to a Regional District of Nanaimo staff report, a health and well-being contribution service for Gabriola would require an estimated $103,000 a year. According to a feasibility study from Urban Matters, a contractor is recommended whose duties would include liaising with stakeholders, funding application support, administration and strategic plan work.
Their work is intended to bridge gaps between health and wellness service providers on Gabriola, offering support to lessen the burden on volunteers and allow for “streamlining and better organizing” of working groups with similar goals, stated the report. They would also offer administration and co-ordination support.
At a board meeting Tuesday, Nov. 14, directors gave the go-ahead for an alternative approval process requiring at least 10 per cent of the Gabriola electorate (392 residents) to speak against the proposal in order for the RDN to reconsider. Kim Fowler, RDN manager of long-range planning, told the board that the new staff member would be in her department, though RDN involvement would be limited.
“The service would be administered, but not delivered, by the long-range planning section … similarly to the economic development service that also exists for [Gabriola] … we essentially renew [the services contract], require the annual review report to the board and that is the administrative involvement that we have,” said Fowler.
“Staff is at capacity, so the idea is that the RDN, as much as possible, is a flow-through,” elaborated Vanessa Craig, board chairperson and Gabriola director. “Money is taxed, there’s an admin fee, they administer a contract and that’s what it’s meant to look like.”
Sheryl Armstrong, City of Nanaimo director, spoke against the motion, pointing to complaints about a recent AAP for a city fleet maintenance facility and works yard.
“I don’t believe it’s a fair process at all, unless it’s a necessity and I don’t see this as a necessity,” said Armstrong. “I was opposed to this position and remain opposed. I think $100,000 for someone to co-ordinate meetings is a lot of money when these people are going to co-ordinate themselves anyhow.”
The position is intended to start at part-time in a pilot project and evolve into full-time, noted the report.
Fowler said the position is strictly for Gabriola Island and if it also involved all of the electoral area, an alternative approval process would not be necessary.
RDN staff said responses to the AAP would be allowed via mail, fax and e-mail and Fowler told the News Bulletin that the AAP can start only after B.C.’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs grants the bylaw.
“This usually takes several months, so it is expected the AAP will commence in early 2024,” Fowler said in an e-mail.
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