Nakusp council convened on April 8 for the presentation of the financial plan as well as regular council business.
Financial plan proposed
After Rodney Potapoff presentation, CFO Rob Richards presented the proposed 2013-2017 financial plan to council and a gallery packed with two members of the media and, well, space. Although the audience was sparse, Richards went through the plan swiftly but comprehensively.
Richards started by stating the proposed financial plan was consistent with the 2012 budget and was overall a “status quo” plan.
“How we get there is going through departments and speaking with each other,” the CFO explained to council and media.
The focus for the plan is to finish existing projects, and if the plan bears out, moving from a net operational deficit at the beginning of 2012 of around $50,000 to a net surplus of approximately $106,000 at the end of this year.
A one per cent tax increase is being proposed, which will bring in $8,691 in additional revenue to the Village, the approximate cost of operating the sports field for a season, or clearing snow at the hot springs, or Hydro costs at the Arena for one month in the winter.
The Village website will be redeveloped, the largest expenditure as far as administration goes at $18,000, but generally the budget is on par with previous years.
There were some minor fluctuations in costs, with some costs from last year being more or less than the costs projected for this year due to unforeseen circumstances. For example, costs associated with fire fighting were down last year because there were, fortunately, fewer fires than the budget accounted for.
Of the $2.96 million for 2013 capital projects, roughly $1.6 million is coming from grants, while $722,557 is coming from reserves. Debt financing is responsible for the $425,000 that will be used for improvements to the Arena and another $207,793 will be transferred from Operating funds.
Even with the increased debt being taken on for the Arena improvements, Nakusp’s debt load is on par with communities of similar size, which Richards and Tynan illustrated with two different and interesting graphics.
Although the picture is looking better for the Village with the operational deficit being wiped out, Richards said now the aim is to build reserves, develop better long term financial planning abilities and determine the operating costs of the new water and sewer treatment plants.
Chamber events
Councillor Guy Duchaine told council that the Chamber of Commerce would be holding planning meetings for July 1 celebrations soon. There is a possibility that the Columbia Basin Trust may fund a community events coordinator, Coun. Duchaine said. Mayor Hamling said when there was an events coordinator previously, there was a lot that happened in town.
Youth group and Hot Springs news
Councillor Joseph Hughes reported that a new youth group coordinator will be chosen soon. Coun. Hughes also brought news that the Nakusp Hot Springs prospectus is being worked on, with an eye to the ideal scenarios for investors as well as how and to whom the hot springs is presented.
CRT a call to action
Coun. Hughes also commented that he had attended the presentations on the Columbia River Treaty given by Sid Parker and Wendy Holm. The councillor said although he regretted that he had missed some of the other presentations about the CRT, he found the two presentations very interesting. He also noted that it was obviously still a difficult issue for people.
“It’s one issue that we’re really at the centre of as citizens of Nakusp,” Hughes said, “We need to weigh in on the issue and not just let it happen in the background. It’s up to us to be involved.”
Mayor Hamling agreed and said there would be a meeting coming up in Fauquier in June that people should be encouraged to attend.
Firehall not in great shape
The Development Board has had a preliminary look at the report on the old firehall, although they have not met as a board to discuss it. What Coun. Mueller could say was that the building was in rough shape structurally.
Economically developing
Coun. Mueller took part in an economic development workshop, which she said was very valuable. She also said that the council does do a lot for economic development, even though people often don’t recognize it. Connecting with the Provincial government to get funding and trade missions, supporting regional tourism board, taking part in the workforce roundtable, and investing in infrastructure all positively affect development, she said. The one area that the Village could work on was an increased focus on planning for the OCP (Official Community Plan).
Wood wasted no more
At the workshop, Coun. Tom Zeleznik met with Rob Gay, Regional District chair for East Kootenay. Gay arranged a meeting on April 15 in Nakusp with David Dubois, Project Coordinator of the Wood Waste to Rural Heat Project.
“There’s a lot of wood waste out there,” Zeleznik said, who is excited about the possibilities for Nakusp, and referenced a project run in Enderby by Fink Machine.
NACFOR in action
Counc. Tom Zeleznik reported on NACFOR’s activity, which is banging away thanks to a 60 per cent increase in lumber prices in the last six months, said Zeleznik. Two UBC co-op students will be arriving for three months of work experience May 16.
New beach features
You may have noticed a new addition on the public beach in Nakusp. Not only have machines been busy resculpting the sand, but there is now also a length of boom logs in the water. The logs were donated by Interfor to protect the shoreline, and Village council moved to write a letter of thanks to the company.
Jumbo issues
Coun. Hughes brought up the issue of sending a letter to encourage UBCM to seek intervention status in a judicial review of the creation of Jumbo resort municipality.
Coun. Mueller said she understood the issue to be more than about just Jumbo, but about the province going against the wishes of UBCM.
“UBCM made their wishes quite clear and the government chose to disregard them,” said Mueller.
Mayor Hamling said the provincial response was that there have been precedents were municipalities without residents have been set up and that it is not unusual. She also said she agreed with Coun. Duchaine that legally it could become very expensive.
Counc. Hughes stated that the debate justifies the expense because the province ignoring UBCM goes against the democratic process.
“That’s why UBCM has money and lawyers because we need to defend the democratic process,” said Hughes.
The vote to send a letter urging UBCM to seek intervention status was a tie, with Couns. Hughes and Mueller voting in favour and Couns. Zeleznik and Duchaine against, and the mayor cast the deciding ballot against the motion.
Horsing around town
Coun. Hughes raised the issue of horse access and acceptance around the community, asking for clarity about Village bylaws.
CAO Tynan said one issue is horse manure is listed as litter and needs to be cleaned up, and the first step could be outreach and education.
Coun. Duchaine related a recent encounter meeting horses and riders on the waterfront which was great, but he recognized that there could be problems if dogs and horses don’t play well together.
Coun. Mueller said she had received some complaints about horses on the waterfront walkway from people who were scared, and she recommended signage letting people know there could be horses on the walkway.
