Sample Projects:
Creston Valley
Sunshine Coast
Union Bay
South Cowichan
Local Government Restructure Experience
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• QUEEN CHARLOTTE CITY (2004-05)
Sussex prepared the report on the impacts of municipal status for this small community. Residents voted to become a municipality in 2005.
• BURNS LAKE (2003-2004)
Sussex recently examined the implications of potential boundary extensions for the Village.
• WELLS (1995 AND 1997)
Sussex prepared a comprehensive examination of local governance for Wells, BC that included a standard municipal structure as well as alternative forms to address the special economic conditions at Wells. Late in 1997 Wells' residents voted to become a new municipality.
• CHETWYND (1996-97)
Sussex prepared an analysis of a boundary restructure to include both an immediately adjacent area as well as a larger area containing various industrial sites.
• SUN PEAKS (2009-10)
Sussex completed a full study of the impacts of creating a new municipality for the ski resort of Sun Peaks. A referendum was held in January 2010 in which residents and owners voted to become BC's first "mountain resort municipality".
• SILVER STAR (2004-05)
Sussex led the team (with Kerr Wood Leidal Associates and Municipal Management Services) that examined options for, and the implications of, local governance changes at this ski resort near Vernon.
• BEAVER VALLEY (1997)
Sussex completed a full study of the impacts of creating a new municipality of 5,800 near Trail, BC. The community committee managing the study decided to not to request a referendum.
• MERRITT (1995)
Sussex updated its 1994 examination of the budget and tax impacts of extending the city's boundary to include the Collettville and Sunnyview areas. Collettville voted to join Merritt in 1995.
• GRAND FORKS (1995)
Sussex measured the social, financial, and servicing impacts of expanding the city boundary to include a very large site with a proposed mixed use development plan.
• LAKE COUNTRY (1991, 1994)
In 1994 Sussex updated the 1991 incorporation study for Winfield-Oyama, with full financial projections and tax impacts. Residents voted to create a new municipality in a December 1994 referendum.
• OKANAGAN LANDING (1993)
Sussex prepared the comprehensive report and newsletter about creating a new municipality as well as joining the City of Vernon. Residents chose to join Vernon in an April 1993 referendum.
• WESTBANK (1993)
Sussex prepared a full study of incorporation -- tax impacts, budgets, and procedures -- for this community of 11,000 near Kelowna. Residents voted against incorporation in April, 1993.
• GREATER VERNON (1991)
Sussex examined the consequences of, and procedures for, a major restructure of the Greater Vernon area, including major extensions of the city's boundaries as well as new municipalities and combined municipalities.
• SORRENTO (1990)
Sussex lead a public meeting about incorporation to solicit resident concerns, prepared a newsletter outlining the current situation and issues, and held a public meeting to explain incorporation.
• CLEARWATER (1990)
Sussex undertook a comprehensive study of the financial impacts of incorporating Clearwater as a municipality, including property tax requirements and tax base projections.
• OKANAGAN FALLS (1988-1989)
Sussex prepared a full study of incorporating Okanagan Falls, including spending, assessments, and tax rates, as well as an assessment of how incorporation would affect important community issues expressed by residents.
• SICAMOUS (1988-1989)
Sussex prepared a full incorporation study of the Sicamous, including tax base, spending, and tax rate projections. Sicamous became a municipality in December 1989.
• DUNCAN (CURRENT)
Sussex is analyzing the impacts of extending the City of Duncan's boundary to include 1000 people in Eagle Heights and the adjacent commercial-industrial area (with engineering assistance from Kerr Wood Leidal Associates).
• IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS (2009)
Sussex led public discussions on (a) governance options for the Beaver Creek Improvement District (near Port Alberni); and (b) the process for and impacts of converting the Royston Improvement District to a Regional District service area.
• SOUTH COWICHAN (2009)
Sussex examined the current system of local services and governance in South Cowichan (Shawnigan Lake, Cobble Hill, Mill Bay and Malahat); held meetings to discuss the current system with residents; and outlined some of the changes that could flow from municipal status. (With subconsultants HB Lanarc and Wayne d'Easum)
• UNION BAY (2006)
Sussex completed Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies of municipal status for the 1,300 residents at Union Bay, including public meetings, Residents rejected municipal status in an October 2006 referendum.
• GABRIOLA ISLAND (2002-2004)
Sussex has prepared the comprehensive analysis of municipal status for the 3,600 residents of Gabriola in June of 2004. Residents voted down municipal status in a November, 2004 referendum.
• SOOKE (2003-2004)
Sussex completed the analysis of expanding the District of Sooke's boundaries to include another 3,500 nearby residents in East Sooke, Otter Point and Shirley. A referendum of the question was held in late 2004 and failed.
• MALCOLM ISLAND (2002-2003)
Sussex, with assistance from subconsultant Qu'West Consulting, prepared a full examination of municipal status for this island of 900.
• SALT SPRING ISLAND (1999-2002)
Sussex finished examining the potential impacts of Local Government Restructuring Projects.
• LANTZVILLE (2000-02)
Sussex completed the lengthy municipal incorporation study in mid-2002, when Lantzville residents voted to become a municipality.
• COMOX VALLEY (1999)
Sussex examined the financial, administrative, and political implications of combining 40,000 residents in the Comox Valley into one large municipality. Residents voted it down in late 1999.
• HIGHLANDS (1993)
Sussex prepared the full update in preparation for the 1993 referendum. The work also entailed financial projections for the District of Langford, since Highlands residents had the option of joining Langford. Voters approved the referendum and the Highlands is one of BC's newest municipalities.
• COWICHAN LAKE (1989-90, 1992)
Sussex prepared all the estimated revenues, spending, and tax rates associated with a large scale expansion of the Village of Lake Cowichan. Sussex also provided the updated study in 1992. The local restructure committee decided against holding a referendum.
• SUNSHINE COAST -- PHASE 2 (2005)
This comprehensive study examines the impacts of creating a new municipality of 10,000 for the residents in and around the Town of Gibsons.
• SUNSHINE COAST PHASE 1 STUDY (2002)
Sussex (with subconsultant Praxis) examined the level of residents’ interest in looking more closely at a municipal restructuring of Gibsons and two neighbouring electoral areas.
• BOWEN ISLAND (1997-99)
Sussex (with subconsultant Praxis) looked at municipal status for Bowen Island. This was followed by a full restructure study in 1999. Bowen voted to become a municipality in 1999.
• LIONS BAY (1997-99)
Sussex recently completed a full analysis of expanding the Lions Bay municipal boundary to include the nearby community of Brunswick Beach (with engineering assistance from Kerr Wood Leidal Associates). The two communities merged in 1999.
• UNIVERSITY ENDOWMENT LANDS (1995)
Sussex studied the administrative, social, and financial impacts of changing the form of the University Endowment Lands' local government, including the options of municipal incorporation and joining the City of Vancouver.
• BOWEN ISLAND (1988-89 AND 1991)
Sussex prepared a full analysis of the budgets, services, and property tax implications of various forms of local government on Bowen Island.
• CRESTON VALLEY (2006)
This study examined issues and concerns about service delivery in the Valley and assessed governance options for addressing them, including creating a large district municipality and a new municipality for Wynndel. Subconsultant Municipal Management Services Ltd. assisted in the development of policy options.
• CANAL FLATS (2002-2003)
Sussex completed a full examination of municipal status for this East Kootenay community. Residents voted in November 2003 to become a municipality.
• WEST FERNIE (1996)
Sussex updated its earlier 1994 study of the tax impacts and budgets of extending the city boundaries to include West Fernie (population of 400). Residents voted against joining Fernie.
• CHRISTINA LAKE (1994)
Sussex undertook a complete revision to the earlier 1991 incorporation study for this Kootenay community, including budget and tax projections.
• LAKE WINDERMERE (1994)
Sussex prepared a full study of a new municipality at Windermere, as well as examining the impacts of a single municipality covering both Invermere and Windermere.
• RADIUM HOT SPRINGS (1994)
Sussex examined the impacts of extending the village's boundaries to include the resort area to the south.
• BOUNDARY REGIONAL DISTRICT (1993)
Sussex examined the budget and tax impacts of creating a new regional district for the Boundary area of the Kootenay-Boundary Regional District. The Boundary members decided not to proceed further with restructuring.
• CHRISTINA LAKE (1990-91)
Sussex prepared a full analysis of incorporation for Christina Lake. Particular emphasis was placed on sewer and water issues. The local committee chose not to proceed further with restructuring in 1991.