RDOS Chair Mark Pendergraft oversaw 3 hour long budget discussion in Penticton
To quote one comment on the blog “don’t get your knickers in a knot” on the subject of the Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen’s budget as it won’t be finalized until the spring.
However the debate and juggling figures is of interest to some. Today not much got cut from the budget but clarity was given to a number of issues after 180 minutes of chatter.
1. Communications – a PR person will be retained but working only 60 per cent of normal FTE hours
2. One of the largest increases to the RDOS budget is the operations amount for the Venables Theatre and agreement has not been reach yet. The Program budget on the RDOS (Oliver Parks and Recreation Society) page is proposed to increase from $83,000 to $132,000 and the debt repayment budget line increasing by $81,000. (All figures rounded to nearest thousand)
3. The general budget paid for by all RDOS partners is rising only 1.9% with the main cost $80,000 in the solid waste management program targeted for a search for a site for composting
4. RDOS will reduce the grant-in-aid to Challenge Penticton from $25 thousand to $12,000 as a statement to the event organizers that last year’s grant was to be a one time assistance not a permanent line item. Directors determined to be positive to this event but decrease funding over time.
5. RDOS will give a one time grant to SILGA – a local government association in the amount of $3000 for a conference in the spring to be held in Penticton
6. Directors are still grappling with a possible $600,000 increase to the tax requisition with no clarity to the issue of pay for rural fire chiefs. That “white paper” proposal will be dealt with later this month. (see separate story). Directors voted not to take the issue into an in-camera meeting allowing for some reporting on the issue
7. Two interesting facts – the planning department budget is set to rise by $42,000 to $826 thousand. Building inspection budget expected to be hiked by $27,000 to $192 thousand. Staff state that building inspections and planning applications remain stable year to year 2012 to 2013.
8. In Oliver – the Parks and Recreation budget shows a decrease of $10 thousand for the Arena, a reduction of $19,000 for the Pool, an increase of $29,000 for the Hall, and an increase of $32,000 for Parks. (Program department dealt with above).
8. As to the discussion about finality – this budget will get first reading in two weeks and changes after that will be minor. There will be meetings and discussions in the community throughout the regional district.
Figures supplied by RDOS