The Comox Valley Regional District will enter into an operating agreement with the Comox Valley Transition Society for the provision of victim services, the CVRD board approved Tuesday.

The police-based program will be funded by way of a gradual tax increase to a maximum of $70,000 per year, $36,000 of which will come from district taxpayers.

Courtenay director Larry Jangula feels the program should be a government responsibility that is not passed on to the district.

鈥淭his is a tough one,鈥� Jangula said. 鈥�(But) Don鈥檛 get me wrong, it鈥檚 a good program.鈥�

In response to a question from Courtenay director Murray Presley, CVRD chief administrative officer Debra Oakman said Valley taxpayers used to fund the program. It was later determined the district was not the appropriate body to pay for victim services, which went into a hiatus before reappearing last year.

The intention is to enter into an agreement when the district budget is adopted at the end of March.

reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com