By Marianne Cole
2023 Budget
At the December 20, 2022 Council meeting, Council passed several motions to approve the 2023 budget. In summary the following projections are highlighted:
· Operating revenue: $56.2M
· Operating expenses: $69.9M
· Funds coming from restricted reserves: $4.1M
· Balance: Minus $9.6M
· Capital revenue: $11.8M
· Capital expenses: $55.1M
· Funds coming from restricted reserves: $36.2M
· Balance: Minus $7.1M
The negative balance of about $16.7M will be overcome with a blend of amortization dollars being added back and unrestricted reserve dollars. It is noteworthy that we started the 2022 year with a restricted reserve balance of $109M and will end the year with a balance of $95M. BUT the projected balance of our restricted reserve funds at the end of 2023 will be $59.7M as these funds will be used to fund specific budgeted projects as well as the above noted deficits.
How long can these reserves last??
Municipal Development Plan Review
Also at the December 20th meeting Council passed First Reading of the MDP draft by a vote of 4-3. Voting in favor were Reeve Lougheed, Deputy Reeve Mehlhaff, and Councillors Ratcliffe and Swanson. Opposed were Councillors Graham, Northcott, and Cermak. 14 members of the public had braved bitterly cold temperatures to attend this portion of the meeting to witness council discussion and vote.
During the discussion Councillor Cermak expressed excellent comments on the need for councillors to listen to the voice of the people. This was certainly reflected in his vote opposing the draft document. In his comments Councillor Northcott expressed agreement with Councillor Cermak’s comments while also mentioning the negative impact this plan could have on young farmers. As such he commended those in attendance for their interest in this matter. Deputy Reeve Mehlhaff mentioned that she has had lots of calls on this issue and wants to pass First Reading so the matter will go to a public hearing, offering people an official opportunity for input. Councillor Ratcliffe also expressed the same need to move forward with a public hearing. As Councillor Graham was in attendance virtually, Councillor Lougheed read a letter she had submitted stating she has heard from numerous people with a strong majority being opposed to the new draft. Councillor Swanson noted that 20 extra subdivisions won’t have a large impact and there is a need to grow our population. Reeve Lougheed mentioned that
Council needs to consider everyone, and that is a difficult balancing act. In addition he feels that we need to be a welcoming community. In summary he said he has faith in what will be presented at a public hearing and he wants to hear everyone’s opinion in order to get the right balance.
Proceeding forward the next steps will be:
Referral letters will be sent to various agencies (local energy providers, oil industry companies, neighboring jurisdictions, and First Nations). These letters would indicate that First Reading has passed and they have 30 days to respond with their input.
A Public Hearing will be held. Planning is now in progress. With the potential for a large public attendance various venues and dates are being considered.
2 week public notice must be given prior to the Public Hearing. This will be done in a variety of ways including local papers, county web-site, social media, and radio. Given the 30 day timeline for response to Referral Letters the Public Hearing will likely take place in February.
The public is invited to attend the hearing to make presentations and voice their opinion.
Council will then consider 2nd Reading. They will have the options to pass the document as is, pass with amendments, table the decision, or defeat passing.
If passed, they can proceed immediately to 3rd Reading and if that passes, the MDP draft becomes an official document. The last two options would require further time and consideration.
In the meantime, you are encouraged to call, email, or write your councillor to express your opinion. This is a significant document that has the potential to not only affect people’s lives for many years to come, but also land use forever.
RANT
It’s been a while since I felt the need to rant, but it was prompted by a recent email as well as a phone call. Both expressed a concern with a “double standard” being potentially promoted by administration and Council. They noted that recent action (and large legal costs) resulted in one councillor being excluded from discussion and decision on broadband matters because of potential pecuniary interest. Yet, at the moment all councillors, many of them farmers/landowners, are involved in discussions on the MDP review--- and will be voting on it even though they could have a pecuniary interest with the increased opportunity to subdivide.
I feel it is absolutely crucial for councillors to both gather information and express their opinion while making decisions. As such they should ALL have equal opportunity for input. Each Councillor has recognizable knowledge on various topics and this should be equally valued/accepted by both colleagues and administration. Restricting input in one situation but permitting it in another might support the above concerns with a double standard. May open acceptance of all input be a new practise in 2023.
Up-coming Events:
Regular monthly meetings,
Wednesday, January 11, 2023 and
Wednesday, February 8, 2023, both at 7:30PM at Arbutus Community Hall.
