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IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS
Improvement districts are autonomous local government bodies responsible for providing one or more local services for the benefit of the residents in a community. They vary considerably in size from small subdivisions to urban communities but are usually located in rural areas of the Province where there was no alternative form of local governance either available, suitable, or desirable for the community. In structure they are similar to a municipality but are more informal and only provide direct services such as waterworks, fire protection or street lighting rather than general governance. There are approximately 260 improvement districts currently operating in the Province. Improvement districts are brought into existence
by the Province through a Cabinet Order which authorizes the passage of a
document known as Letters Patent.
Some of the provisions contained in the Letters Patent are the name of the
improvement district, its boundary and the services which it intends to provide
to the residents within that boundary. The incorporation of an improvement
district will only be considered where: the local regional district is unable
or unwilling to establish a service area for this service responsibility;
this “next best” service alternative is deemed to be a viable option; and
a majority of the landowners in the area being considered for incorporation
endorse its formation.
The affairs of every improvement district are directed by elected trustees, one of whom acts as chair. Each trustee is elected for a three-year term by the eligible landowners of the improvement district. In general, to be eligible to vote or to be a candidate for trustee, a person must be eighteen years of age, a Canadian citizen, an owner of land in the improvement district and a resident of B.C. for the previous six months. The powers that are exercised by the trustees flow from the improvement district's Letters Patent, the applicable sections of the Local government Act and other applicable statutes. These powers include the ability to enact and enforce its regulations and charges, to assess and collect taxes, to acquire, hold and dispose of lands, to borrow money and to expropriate lands required to carry out its objects. These powers are enacted by the trustees through the passage of written documents known as bylaws. Although improvement districts are independent public corporations and can sue and be sued in their own name, they are also subject in some respects to supervision by MCAWS. In particular, all bylaws passed by the trustees must be approved by the Inspector of Municipalities and the bylaws are not effective until the approval is obtained. In addition, each year their audited financial statements and the minutes of its annual general meeting are reviewed by and filed with MCAWS, who plays a major role in providing advice and direction to the improvement districts. For further information regarding improvement districts please contact
MCAWS. |