A delegation of auditors have deemed the town’s 2010 finance a-okay.
The same as this time last year, Meyers Norris Penny representatives visited council during their regular meeting, Tuesday, April 26, to provide the town’s elected officials with a breakdown of their lengthy audit.
“There were no limitations on the scope of our audit,” team representative Terry Shepherd said.
“And there were no irregularities.”
One suggestion the auditors provided mayor and council was to add $10,000 to their budget for severance liability.
Aside from that, there wasn’t much to say about the town’s finances, other than that they’re currently on track.
Five-year financial plan
The town’s elected officials passed a first, second, and third reading during the town’s Tuesday, April 26, regular council meeting.
The report states that the town’s expenditure/revenue will go up to $5,980,250 by 2015, which is up $206,095 from the 2011 budget.
This hike will mean the town’s overall tax requisition will go up an additional $131,276, bringing it to $1,729,050 by 2015, from 2011’s current $1,597,774.
Other items discussed:
• In response to a letter from the Village of Slocan endorsing online voting, the town’s elected officials responded to the idea of allowing online/internet voting.
“I think it’s the way of the future, but whether we’re there or not is the question,” councillor Tim McGonigle said, adding that there are many seasonal residents that have expressed interest in voting in municipal elections, who are unable to.
It’s unlikely this issue is resolved by this fall’s municipal election, but something could be in place for the subsequent one.
• The Lake Cowichan Food Bank Society is seeking space to store non-perishable goods, as the space currently allowed at the Lake Cowichan Christian Fellowship Church can no longer allow them the extra space they’ve been taking up.
There’s no room in town facilities, the town’s elected officials stated, though they will push them in the direction of the local school district, and the public at large, for the donation of storage space.
