Westside Road BC finances and spending

Central Okanagan West discussion to contribute $1,075 for new Kelowna bridge opening. (on page 2 March 06, 2008 minutes of the Governance and Services Committee)

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Bridge Opening - It was agreed that the participating municipalities would provide their financial contributions directly to Kelowna. Westside Council confirmed they will contribute financially by paying for a cake for the celebration. The electoral areas will contribute financially through their area grants in aid allocations and this will be forwarded to Kelowna. (on page 3 March 12, 2008 minutes of the Governance and Services Committee)

RDCO funding covers the following programs: Humane education, cruelty investigations, and the spay and neuter program.

(from page 2 March 12, 2008 minutes of the Governance and Services Committee)

$1000 increase to Friends of Fintry's budget (on page 3
March 12, 2008 minutes of the Governance and Services Committee)

Central Okanagan West Electoral Area grants increased to $10,000 (on page 4 March 12, 2008 minutes of the Governance and Services Committee)

North Westside Fire Rescue - Fire Boat 2008

Ratepayers: It is our belief that the one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000.00) as budgeted for would be better used in expanding our fire department through the purchase of more conventional firefighting equipment.

Click on letter written April 14, 2008 and submitted by Allastair Fergusson (President of the North Westside Ratepayers Association) for a larger copy that you can read.

Governance and Services Committee minutes Feb 14, 2008 page 8

4. Governance

4.1 Notice of Motion - Regional Grants in aid administration fee

Director Neis brought forward the following motion for consideration:

WHEREAS the Regional District of Central Okanagan has a policy of charging a 5% administration fee for regional grants in aid budget;
AND WHEREAS it is felt that this money would be put to better use by the individual organization applying for grants;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Regional District of Central Okanagan waive the 5% administration fee for processing regional grants in aid and pass those funds to the organization receiving the grant."

Staff reviewed the policy on administration fees noting it is the Board's policy to recover administration costs. if not recovered here would need to be charged elsewhere to recover those costs.

It was agreed that the information be received and that no action is required.

Governance & Services Committee Meeting Minutes – March 8, 2006 (Pg. 4)
- Business licenses – actual revenue has increased. Why has cost of operation increased? In the past other staff resources were not charged to the function – it had been subsidized and now the full cost is being charged.

Governance & Services Committee Meeting Minutes – March 8, 2006 (Pg. 3)
2006 tax requisitions percentage increases and the tax increase on a $316,000 home which was assessed at $275,000 in 2004 were highlighted:
-City of Kelowna – 13.11% ($19.45)
-Peachland – 12.48% ($15.23)
-Lake Country – 19.75% ($19.86)
-Westside North – 13.86% ($34.17)
-Westside South – 20.09% ($122.30) Staff circulated a revised document which included the Westside Fire Dept
-Central Okanagan East – 10.75% ($32.04)
Staff reviewed a chart for the 2006 General Revenue Fund Budget Percentage breakdown which will be incorporated in the Strategic Plan. The percentage breakdown is as follows:

- Recreation and Cultural Services 26%
- General Government Services 14%
- Protective Services 26%
- Transportation Services 6%
- Environmental Health Services 18%
- Environmental Development Services 10%

Governance and Services Committee Meeting – October 21, 2005 (Pg.5)
8. Business License Bylaw
Staff reviewed the background of the business license bylaw whereby all businesses require a business license. There are presently no exemptions from the requirement and all types of businesses from small home-based businesses to large factories are licensed. Staff have been able to determine which of the
commercial and industrial premises in the area were rented to other parties, therefore placing the owners of the property in the business of renting premises in the position to pay for a business license. Business licenses have been obtained from all but one, but some have voiced their displeasure with having to pay a license. A letter from P. Bouchard was circulated with the staff report for the committee’s review.
As more than 1,400 businesses have been licensed and it is anticipated that revenue minus expenses would result in a surplus. Staff are suggesting a $10.00 reduction in the annual fee. It was noted that under the Local Government the service should be revenue neutral.
The committee discussed whether it is possible to provide services such as some form of economic development to businesses rather than reducing the license fee.
HARRIMAN/HEIN
THAT staff be directed to:
1. Clarify the definition of business to ensure that operators of premises for rent or lease clearly understand that their type of business requires licensing.
2. Review the feasibility of providing economic development opportunities for business license holders and report back to the committee
CARRIED

Governance and Services Committee Meeting – November 19, 2004 (Pg.7)
8. Regional District Board Remuneration and Expenses
The Regional District currently has a system in place to remunerate and pay expenses of Directors. This system is administered through a bylaw and policies that have been approved by the Board. It is suggested that an independent committee review the current practices and recommend any changes to the Regional Board. The Committee review will culminate in:
1) A recommendation on a remuneration policy and rates to be applicable January 1, 2006
2) A recommendation to the Regional Board on a policy which addresses: mileage, per diem rates and when applicable; out-of-pocket expenses and when applicable; attendance at conferences and seminars; and provision of cell phones and electronic devices.
Three individuals have agreed to complete the review. They are Larry Mintz, David Gunderson, Shirley Staley.
HEIN/HART
THAT an independent committee comprised of David Gunderson, Larry Mintz and Shirley Staley proceed with a Board remuneration and expense review;
AND THAT reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Committee members during the discharge of their duties examining Board remuneration and expenses shall be paid (include mileage, meals, etc.)
AND FURTHER THAT the Committee recommendations be presented to the Regional Board no later than March 31, 2005.
CARRIED

Governance and Services Committee Meeting – November 19, 2004 (Pg.6-7)
7. Property Conveyance
The Regional District utility billing function provides searches of properties for outstanding charges for free and in reviewing other local government practices, charging for this service is common practice. About 10% of the utility billing clerk’s time is spent doing this work. With our web access now in place, direct access to utility billing is now provided. The fees that are proposed should cover the costs of the web server.
HEIN/HALLBERG
THAT the Governance and Services Committee recommend that the Regional Board adopt a bylaw for the charging of property conveyance searches with the following rates:
-individual searches $30.00 per search
-annual fee for direct access of $300.00 per annum.
CARRIED

Westbank Issues Committee Meeting Minutes, July 28, 2003
Mount Boucherie Multi-Plex Referendum
The committee reviewed an e-mail from Mr. Larry Mintz commenting on the apparent tax inequities between Westbank First Nation residents and other residents on the Westside. The committee reviewed the history of the creation of the Mount Boucherie service area and noted that anomalies were hard to explain in a manner that they would be easily understood by all residents. It was noted that it would be helpful if the Westbank First Nation Chief and Council could be persuaded to consider increasing the annual amount paid for Mount Boucherie operations.
Knowles/Novakowski, that:
It be recommended to the Regional District Board that discussions be undertaken with Westbank First Nations Chief and Council and they be asked to address the matter of the annual costs of the Mount Boucherie arena.
CARRIED

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Westside Road BC (Central Okanagan West)

Finances and Spending

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