The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has enacted a new notice enforcement bylaw – so residents will know how much and how long they have to pay.
The new bylaw sets out penalties as well as the period for paying or disputing bylaw notices. The bylaw also allows for a dispute-adjudication system to resolve disputes in relation to tickets issued.
The new system is intended to resolve bylaw violations and notice disputes in a simple, cost-effective manner, states a regional district press release.
The new bylaw notice dispute adjudication system will improve efficiencies as well as deliver a streamlined process to the public.
When a bylaw notice is received, the recipient will have 30 days to either pay the fine or dispute it without having to go through the provincial court system.
An independent adjudicator will hear the dispute instead, possibly resolving the dispute in one month.
The new system will provide the following benefits, states the regional district:
• Simplifies and expedites the dispute processes by removing minor bylaw violations from the provincial court system;
• Reduces costs associated with using the court system;
• Includes dedicated staff members (the screening officers) to act as a resource to help residents dealing with bylaw tickets and the dispute process;
• Allows residents to dispute tickets in person, in writing or over the phone; and
• Provides additional flexibility to encourage bylaw compliance as opposed to a strict enforcement focused system.
For more information, contact bylawenforce@tnrd.ca; 250-377-8673; or visit the TNRD website at www.tnrd.ca.