By ROY WOOD
New firm, more money for bylaw enforcement
South Okanagan Security will provide bylaw enforcement for the town of Oliver for at least the next year after council on Monday authorized staff to sign a contract with the firm.
Council also approved an increase in the bylaw enforcement budget for 2016 from $40,771 to $52,150. The increase alone will result in a one-per-cent bump in the property tax rate for the year, according to acting chief administrative officer David Svetlichny.
Fine-tuning of the final budget line will occur during detailed budget discussions later this month.
There is some provision in the contract to cover extra private security to deal with up-ticks in property crime in the town. Council will retain the ability to increase spending in that area if the need arises.
Lutherans get go-ahead to sell church lots
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church can go ahead with plans to subdivide its property and sell off two excess lots after council on Monday adopted a zoning amendment allowing it.
The property at the corner of Airport Street and Skagit Avenue contains three parcels: one comprising the church building and adjacent parking; one that includes a vacant house, formerly a rectory; and one vacant lot.
The church wants to sell the lots to the north and the west for development as residences.
The area surrounding the church is predominantly single-family homes.
Finance staffers receive national award
Chief financial officer David Svetlichny and deputy finance officer Heather Wilson were presented on Monday with the Canadian Award for Financial Reporting Achievement.
The award is handed out annually by the Government Finance Officers Association. It was established in 1986 “to encourage and assist Canadian local governments to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles … to prepare comprehensive annual financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure.”
This marks the third straight year for Oliver’s financial officers to be recognized with the award.