The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine (RDKS) wants to change how it provides financial support to the Heritage Park Museum.
Right now regional directors have to approve a grant each year but the proposal is to switch to an ongoing amount each year based on property values. This is the same system by which rural area residents already help pay for City of Terrace amenities such as the library and aquatic centre.
Based on the model proposed by the regional district, taxpayers in Area E (Thornhill) and a portion of Area C (the rural area surrounding Terrace excluding Thornhill) would contribute a maximum of $40,000 a year. The estimated annual average cost per property would be $10.21, calculated using an average residential property value of $394,000.
This new system would require a bylaw and voters in Thornhill and the portion of Area C have a chance to express their opinions through what's called an alternate approval process.
Using provincial elections data, the regional district has determined there are 5,536 people of voting age within Thornhill and the portion of Area C.
If fewer than 10 per cent or 554 eligible voters oppose the bylaw, the regional district can then proceed. But if more than 554 people object, the bylaw cannot be adopted until approved in a referendum.
The regional district has set Aug. 31 as the date by which people who are opposed have to register their objections.
The move to change the way the regional district supports Heritage Park Museum began when Thornhill regional district director Ted Ramsey refused in 2023 to approve of Thornhill's portion of the annual grant.
He questioned what value Thornhill received from the museum but did say he would support financial assistance if it was agreed to by his constituents.
The city-owned museum is run by a board separate from the city and contains a collection of log structures originally located around the region but then moved to the museum site for restoration.
