I've asked for water numbers from the District of Tofino but the finance department is busy finalizing the budget. As soon as I get them I'll post them with some analysis.Based on the little information I have I would guess that the resorts in question were undercharged hundreds of thousands of dollars for water and sewer......maybe more......
I'm sure the District is conducting a thorough investigation and that those responsible will be held accountable.
In a perfect world everything would be perfect but dammit, the water episode is sad. so now we're in a sad perfect world. it's nobody's fault; no one is to blame; no one is responsible; and hoo cares? it's only taxpayer money.... not real money, not hard earned real money... it's.....like play money kinda.
ReplyDeletewhat me worry?
what brand/model/manufacturer made the defective meters.
ReplyDeleteWas it/has it been a common problem in other communities? Should Tofino staff have known about those facts and been aware enough to look for false readings?
There's been a few different people in charge of running the water system over those years. We should be highly praising the staff member who found the error but also asking why it was not noticed earlier.
Any of the resorts who had the low meter readings should have known that their water consumption rates were strangely remarkably low and that they would be in the future asked to pay up.
Water, water everywhere,
ReplyDeleteAnd not a drop to pay for!
Tofino is the last resort for scoundrels.
Plaudits to Council for demanding that staff provide an explanation at a future COW meeting, as to what happened and what steps are being taken to make sure this does not happen again.
ReplyDeleteThe charge was led by councillor McMaster and unanimously supported by the rest of Council.
Have you read the Westerly article? Where Nyla Attiana says the district did not lose any revenue. Which simply means that all the other taxpayers paid for the resorts' usage. She states this like it is not a problem. Well maybe it's not a problem for the district since they still got their money but it seems like a problem for the rest of the taxpayers!
ReplyDeleteyou nailed it 8:51,once again Tofino residents get screwed!
ReplyDeleteThe resorts not paying their share is just another reason the rents in town are so high as the landlord has to cover off the cost of water used by the tenants.
ReplyDeleteThis issue was raised at the time of the astronomical water rate increases just a few years ago. I could site may cheeky comments but that wouldn't solve much. DOT failed the local citizens once again as well as the small business with water bills that look like mortgage payments. So what do I ask for? The $1000's of dollars I've paid DOT for...water back. Nope, just equal treatment and fairness. Everyone pays their fair share. Equality. A novel concept in this town most days. Make those who were undercharged pay the moneys owed for past underbilling. Give them a reasonable timeline for payments. Be fair even though they had to have know their "good fortune" by the level of anger brought forward by the "common people" We raised a stink back then and were told its under control. This is the first real test of Josie and her leadership. I hope she passes the test. For all the good attributes she possess letting the resorts not pay would be an unforgivable sin in my eyes and would put her in the company of our last two baffoons. We are watching Josie, and please have a chat Nyla she need a few accounting lessons about A/R and intentional misrepresentation.
ReplyDeleteDoes nyla think we're all stupid? if it costs $.10 a gallon to produce and deliver a gallon of water and we give it to someone for $.04 a gallon of course we haven't lost any revenue but, we've lost money.
ReplyDeletethere is a basic difference between income and expense unless in the parlance of municipal accounting revenue isn't actually money.
since the treasures a taxpayer it would seem strange that there is this separation of belief that we are expected to swallow as taxpayers i.e. the shareholders who pay the expenses
It's all good ! Group hug with overworked staff. Check for updates and pics on Instagram and Twitter.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteMayor Josie Osborne has known about this 'Water Scandal' for almost a YEAR ! ........and she kept it quiet !
This turd only floated to the surface because some resorts think they are entitled to more DoT(Josie) favors