The TNRD and the City of Merritt have inked a new agreement on localized fire protection.

The Regional District has finalized a 5 year agreement with the City of Merritt to provide fire coverage to parts of Electoral Areas M and N of the TNRD, which surround Merritt.

Thompson Nicola Regional District Manager of Fire Protection Services, Jason Tomlin, says the new agreement does not cover the whole of the electoral areas, only the periphery surrounding Merritt.

“Protects around 772 registered properties in the Lower Nicola, Miller Estates, north end of Coldwater Road, and some areas east of Merritt, including Nicola Ranch and Harmon Estates,” noted Tomlin.  “What we use as our gauge is the 8 kilometer distance, typically, from the fire underwriters survey. That’s kind of the guiding rule. Obviously we have fire protection areas that go a lot further than that.”

The new deal will cost those properties $48.28 for every $100,000 worth of assessed property they own, which Tomlin notes is on the less-expensive end of their other fire service agreements within the TNRD.

“I guess what it really brings to the table is some stability for the ratepayers for fire protection services over the next 5 years, where we’re not renegotiating year after year,” noted Tomlin.  “We have a contract that’s been inked for the next 5 years. Those rates are set.”

The new agreement is about 16 percent cheaper than what the property owners surrounding Merritt had been previously paying.