The Village of Salmo is undertaking an alternate approval process for a loan authorization for the purchase a new fire truck which is necessary to keep the Village current with the Fire Underwriters Survey requirements and minimizes insurance costs for all residents. An alternative approval process (AAP) enables local governments to directly engage citizens about a proposed bylaw such as for loan authorizations (long-term borrowing), disposal of certain utilities (other than water or sewage systems), exchanges or other disposal of parkland, and other situations.
How does an AAP work? An Alternative Approval Process (AAP) is a provincially legislated form of approval that allows electors to indicate whether they are against a local government proposed bylaw moving forward. Electors can voice their opposition by submitting a completed elector response form to the Village of Salmo. The deadline to submit the electoral response form is 4:00 p.m. on November 24, 2025. IF AN ELECTOR IS IN FAVOUR OF THE BYLAW, NO ACTION IS REQUIRED.
The purpose of the bylaw is to borrow an amount not to exceed $1,020,000 to finance the cost of a new fire truck that will be repaid over a period not to exceed 20 years. It is estimated that the borrowing will result in a tax increase for the average residential property of $71 per year.
If 10% of eligible electors complete and submit the form, the AAP has not obtained elector approval and the local government must proceed with a referendum (assent voting) before proceeding with the proposed bylaw.
The proposed bylaw “Fire Truck Loan Authorization Bylaw #767, 2025” is also available for viewing Monday to Friday during office hours.
Information About Elector Eligibility
In order to sign an elector response form in relation to the alternative approval process, a person must either be a resident elector or a non-resident property elector.
A resident elector is an individual who is entitled to sign an elector response form during an AAP by virtue of living within that jurisdiction. When signing an elector response form, a resident elector must:
- be at least 18 years of age; and
- be a Canadian citizen; and
- have been a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months; and
- be a resident of the Village of Salmo; and
- live in the area defined for the AAP; and
- not disqualified under the Local Government Act, or any other enactment from voting in a local election or be otherwise disqualified by law.
A non-resident property elector is an individual that does not live in a jurisdiction and who is entitled to sign an elector response form during an AAP by virtue of owning property in that jurisdiction. When signing an elector response form, a non-resident property elector must:
- be at least 18 years of age; and
- be a Canadian citizen; and
- have been a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months; and
- be a registered owner of real property in the Village of Salmo for at least 30 days; and
- own property in the area defined for the AAP; and
- not disqualified under the Local Government Act, or any other enactment from voting in a local election or be otherwise disqualified by law.
Note: Only one non-resident property elector may sign an elector response form per property, regardless of how many people own the property; and, that owner must have the written consent of a majority of the other property owner(s) to sign the response form on their behalf. Property owned in whole or in part by a corporation does not qualify under the non-resident property elector provisions.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on these matters, please contact Derek Kwiatkowski, Chief Administrative Officer, at (250) 357-9433 or by email cao@salmo.ca.
