At the Feb. 8 budget meeting, the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako (RDBN) discussed the 2024 minor service budgets.
Sarrah Storey, Fraser Lake mayor, expressed her concern about the reduction in Fraser Lake Library’s budget this year and requested an increase it.
Mark Parker, RDBN chairperson, explained that some of the electoral areas’ budgets were connected to pipeline revenue. He added that the library budget previously received a significant boost due to pipeline revenue. He stated that RDBN’s current library budget structure would not have any impact on the community. However, he acknowledged that the Fraser Lake community is currently facing challenging times.
John Illes, RDBN chief financial officer, added that these budgets were preliminary and subject to change if needed.
The total revenue of Fraser Lake Library for 2023 was $42,761 and the 2024 budget was $39,779.
Gladys Atrill, Smithers mayor, had concerns about the parks, recreation, and culture of rural contribution.
Illes answered that this was a unique situation for Smithers, where the maximum BC Assessment Bylaw limit for parks, recreation, and culture of rural contribution were taxed at 0.85 cents per $1000 revenue. He added that the assessment portion was not calculated this year which was why it lower.
The total revenue of Smithers’ parks, recreation, and culture of rural contribution for 2023 was $590,458 and the 2024 budget was $587,300.
Judy Greenaway, RDBN Fort St. James director, inquired about increasing the budget for Fort St. James Library without increasing taxes.
Illes explained that Fort St. James has already reached its budget maximum of $17,001.87. Therefore, it can not be increased until next year. The increase will be 25 per cent.
The total revenue of Fort St. James Library for 2023 was $17,279, and the 2024 budget was $17,237. After the 25 per cent increase, their 2025 budget will be $21,495.
Minor service budgets affect only a few jurisdictions such as street lighting services, Bulkley Valley Regional Pool in partnership with the Bulkley Valley Aquatic Society, parks and trails services, recreation contribution services, Fort Fraser Local Community, Fort Fraser Water, Fort Fraser Sewer, Cluculz Lake Sewer, rural economic development services, Glacier Gulch Water Diversion in partnership with Lake Kathlyn Protection Society, Regional Transit Service and building inspection service.
Although a few minor service budgets require minimal funding, others, such as the Bulkley Valley Pool Service, demand over $1 million.
These budgets were formulated based on the current and previous year’s expenditures. The regional district awaits budget information from the municipal partners involved in the service to make further adjustments.
The deadline for budget information from the municipalities is by the end of February.
At the end of the discussion, Chairperson Parker asked everyone whether they had further questions on the budget report. Seeing none, he carried the motion to approve the 2024 minor service budgets so far, and board agreed.