Okanagan Falls residents will have from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on March 12 to cast their vote early on whether their community will incorporate as a municipality or not.
The advanced voting will be held at the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen offices at 101 Martin Street in Penticton.
According to the fact sheet provided by the RDOS, the estimated tax impact from incorporating as a municipality would be an additional $289.94 on a property worth $500,000.
Many services provided by the RDOS, such as garbage collection and mosquito control, would continue to be operated by the district if incorporation is approved.
Other services, such as bylaw enforcement, business licencing, Okanagan Falls fire protection, Okanagan Falls parks and recreation, the Okanagan Falls cemetery and Okanagan Falls street lights, planning and subdivisions and building inspection would need to be provided by the new municipality.
Some municipalities in the region, such as Keremeos, do have agreements in place with the RDOS to utilize their planning department's services.
Other costs, such as the Hospital District and School District taxes, would not change.
The vote is the latest step in a process that has been on-and-off for decades within the community.
Non-resident electors, such as those who own property in Okanagan Falls but do not live there, can also vote in the referendum.
General voting will take place on March 22 at the Okanagan Falls Recreation Centre at 1141 Cedar St.
Mail-in ballot packages are also available and can be requested by filling out the Application for Mail-In Ballot Package form.
Forms are available at rdosregionalconnections.ca, in-person at the RDOS office in Penticton, at the RDOS Economic Development/Community Services Office (1109 Willow St., Okanagan Falls) or by emailing elections@rdos.bc.ca.
Mail-in ballots are required to be submitted and received prior to 4:30 p.m. on March 21 at the RDOS main office, or by 8 p.m. on March 22 at the Okanagn Falls Recreation Centre.
The incorporation referendum is distinct and separate from the also upcoming referendum for two private utilities located north of Okanagan Falls.
