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Council Briefs: City moves forward with budget/financial plan

Rossland City Council’s next meeting is May 2 at 6 p.m. at Miners Hall; public is welcome to attend
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In-person council meetings are held at Miners Union Hall.

Rossland council briefs for April 4 and 19.

• The city held a public consultation on the 2022-26 Budget and Financial Plan on April 19. Chief Financial Officer Mike Kennedy responded to queries from the five residents who attended the meeting.

Kennedy clarified city expenditures, taxation structure and allocation from the city, Regional District, the province, Regional Hospital, BC Assessment and Municipal Finance Authority.

The city’s operations budget is projected to be about $10.8 M this year and that capital plan projects will total approximately $8.4 M. The city will also start a Police Reserve Fund to cover potential costs for when the population reaches 5,000.

The Municipal Tax Rate Bylaw was given three readings and will likely be adopted at May 2 council. The city agreed to hold the tax increase to 3 per cent on residential properties and a 4 per cent increase on all other classes.

Residents can access news releases, minutes, agendas and reports at the city’s new website: rossland.ca and look under the “City Hall” tab.

• City staff Cynthia Anonuevo and Kristi Calder were appointed election officials for the municipal election to be held Oct. 15, 2022.

• Council approved a $1.5M contract for Kays Road Contracting Ltd. to complete the Third Ave. Infrastructure Improvements project.

• Council did not agree to terms with the Rossland Curling Club or the Trail Minor Baseball’s (TMB) respective requests.

Council voted to increase the curling clubs rental by 30 per cent to $28,639 per year in a 5-year contract. The amount is about $4,000 more per year to cover costs of running the facility, in addition to an annual increase proportional to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The number was based on the Recreation and Culture Cost Recovery Report that indicated the curling cost of the arena complex make up about 35 per cent of the operating costs.

The comprehensive report breaks down all operational and staffing costs, as well as the relevant financials for each of Rossland’s recreational facilities.

Council also denied TMB’s application for Community Grant Funding after turning down their April 4 application for COVID Safe Restart Funding. Council made the suggestion that the group apply for Community Grant Funds, but after much debate, council narrowly voted, 4-3, to deny TMB funding from that one as well.

• Council also informed residents that the Rossland Pool will be up and running this summer.

• Several applicants, however, did receive grants from the COVID-19 Community Support Fund. Grants were awarded to the Red Mountain Racers ($5,000), Rossland Scouts ($3,000), West Kootenay Minor Lacrosse ($1,200), West Kootenay Timberwolves Lacrosse ($640) and the Rossland Seniors ($2,200).

• The TransRockies Single Track 6 mountain bike race is a go in 2022. Council approved the use of its roads and trails, and the use of Centennial Field, but will charge rates according to the recreation fees and charges bylaw.

• New council members will receive new laptops equipped with the necessary software and hardware to use for Council business during their four-year term. At the end of a four-year term, councillors may keep the laptop after the City has cleaned and reformatted it. If a Councillor resigns before the end of the term, they are to return the laptop to be used by their replacement.

• The Phoenix Foundation also teamed up with the city to allocate funds up to $500 from the Phoenix Neighbourhood Small Grant Program.

Read: Residents asked to name Rossland’s affordable housing/city hall building



Jim Bailey

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