Despite attempts by RDOS Director Allan Patton – the regional board has put to bed the number of Grants in Aid approved and in the budget for 2013.

$100,000 for Okanagan College chair representing the Okanagan Basin Water Board, Agur Lake Camp, one time grant of $35,400, Okanagan Film Commission $30,000, Healthy Living Program $5000, SPCA $9000 and Critteraid $1300.

Patton first said he was against funding a new position at the Agur Lake camp ground for the Challenged but after some explanation that it was seed funding of a one time nature he changed his mind but said no money should go to Critteraid from Area C.

Critteraid looks after a number of animals but comes into play when horses are abandoned.

Later in the budget discussion, Director Patton said he would be interested in a user pay system for grants and services at the RDOS. Patton said he is not generally in favour of funding various spending programme that are region wide.

Because of changes in the assessments for 2013 – the Town of Oliver will pay less for joint services with its percentage going down from 7.21% to 7.19%

The rural area share will increase from 9.4% to 9.62%

Rural area C and the Town of Oliver will pay $2.2 million dollars for programmes and services of the RDOS in 2013.