RDCK sees draft of four-year financial plan
By Regional District of Central Kootenay
At the Special Board Meeting on Jan. 19, a preliminary draft of the 2024-2028 Financial Plan was provided to the Board. The latest projection is an 11 per cent average increase in taxes for RDCK residents, although this is highly variable depending on the Electoral Area or Municipality the resident lives in. The RDCK has over 180 different services, with each service having its own budget and funding. Surpluses from one service cannot be used to fund a deficit in another service.
Inflation and supply chain constraints will continue to have a cost impact across many services and projects/initiatives, while an increase in Interest rates will continue to put pressure on both short-term and long-term borrowing costs with a partial offset from increased investment income.
The RDCK will host public information sessions (in-person and online) through February and March which will allow the public the opportunity to understand how the budget impacts them in their respective Electoral Area or Municipality.
Community Wildfire Resiliency Plans
The Board approved and adopted the updated Community Wildfire Resiliency Plans (CWRP) for Electoral Areas D, E, F, and I. The purpose of the CWRP is to identify the wildfire risks within and surrounding a community, to describe the potential consequences if a wildfire was to impact the community, and to examine possible ways to reduce the wildfire risk. These plans are based on seven FireSmart disciplines: education, legislation & planning, development considerations, interagency cooperation, cross-training, emergency planning, and vegetation management. By approving these plans, the RDCK is able to proactively manage wildfire risk and increase community resilience to wildfire.
Wildfire Mitigation and FireSmart Program
The Board directed staff to apply to the 2024 and 2025 Union of BC Municipalities Community Resiliency Investment Program intake to coordinate and manage grant funding with the RDCK to operate the wildfire mitigation and FireSmart program in 2024.
The funding will go towards hiring seven wildfire mitigation specialists and one FireSmart coordinator to deliver FireSmart and neighbourhood programs, offer and administer the FireSmart rebate program, as well as support neighbourhoods pursuing neighbourhood recognition, bolster educational activities promoting FireSmart, and updating Community Wildfire Resiliency Plans.
Last year the RDCK completed 411 FireSmart home assessments, free of charge, with 145 residents receiving rebates and 26 communities were issued grants under the Neighbourhood Recognition Program. In 2024 FireSmart is offering up to a $5,000 cash rebate per household for those that complete compulsory components of the assessment.
West Kootenay Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot
The Board approved funding in the amount of $20,000 over three years ($4,000 in 2024, $13,000 in 2025, and $3,000 in 2026) to the West Kootenay Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) program. The RNIP helps smaller rural and northern communities attract and retain skilled foreign workers to meet their economic development and labour market needs. The West Kootenay region is one of 11 communities selected by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada to be a pilot region for the program. Community Futures Central Kootenay is the community partner responsible for administering the pilot in the West Kootenay.
Creston Valley Fire Service Contract Extensions
The Board entered into one-year contract extensions from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024 with the Town of Creston for fire protection services for the Canyon Lister Fire Protection Services Agreement, Wynndel Lakeview Fire Protection Services Agreement, and Electoral Areas B and C and the Arrow Creek Fire Protection Service Area Protection and Response Agreement. Under the contract for the Canyon Lister and Wynndel Fire Protection Areas, the Town of Creston operates and manages both the Canyon Lister and Wynndel Fire Halls, and is responsible for recruiting, training, and maintaining a roster of volunteer firefighters in each fire department.
Under the contract for Electoral Areas B and C and Arrow Creek, the Town of Creston provides fire protection and fire response services respectively to the areas included in the contract utilizing Town of Creston firefighters, and apparatus that are responding from the Creston Fire Hall.
Director’s Reports
RDCK Directors provide monthly reports outlining what they have been working on. Click here to read the January reports in the Board minutes.
RDCK Quarterly Report
For the latest RDCK Quarterly Report, which details the current projects and initiatives of the RDCK, please follow the link.
Discretionary Grants
AREA A
Valley Community Services Society – Better at Home East Shore $4,000
Community Futures Central Kootenay – Climate Resilient Kootenay Business $800
Kootenay Region Skate Canada BC/YT Section – Figure Skating Championships $400
South Kootenay Lake ArtConnect Society – CBT Non-Profit Advisory Program $900
AREA B
Kootenay Region Skate Canada BC/YT Section – Figure Skating Championships $600
Canyon Community Association – Community Celebration Spud Night $999
Wildsight Creston Valley – Wildlife Friendly Fencing Mailer $1,000
AREA E
LVR Grad Committee 2024 – LVR Graduation 2024 $1,000
AREA F
LVR Grad Committee 2024 – LVR Graduation 2024 $1,500
AREA G
Darelyn Stuart – Cleaning up the pondy $169.20
Community Futures Central Kootenay – Climate Resilient Kootenay Business $700
AREA I
Glade Community Hall – Pie Bingo Fundraiser $400
Stanley Humphries Secondary School – Stanley Humphries Graduation Awards $3,000
AREA J
West Kootenay Regional Arts Council – Bent on Art Queer and Trans Arts Festival $300
Stanley Humphries Secondary School – Graduation 2023 Scholarship/Bursary Program $3,000
Community Development Grants
AREA B
Community Futures Central Kootenay – Climate Resilient Kootenay Business $1,000
AREA D
Okanagan Nation Alliance – Fish in Schools $1,500
AREA E
RDCK – Economic Development Support – Nelson, Electoral Areas E & F $20,000
AREA F
Okanagan Nation Alliance – Fish in Schools $1,250
AREA G
Salmo & District Chamber of Commerce – Douglas fir protection in Salmo Valley $5,000
AREA H
Slocan Lake Arts Council – Matching Funds Grant in Aid $3,000
Okanagan Nation Alliance – Fish in Schools $1,500
AREA I
Community Futures Central Kootenay – Climate Resilient Kootenay Business $700
Stanley Humphries Secondary School – Stanley Humphries Graduation Awards $3,000
Okanagan Nation Alliance – Fish in Schools $1,250
AREA J
Okanagan Nation Alliance – Fish in Schools $1,250
AREA K
Bayview Residents Association – Fire Caddy – Insurance and Building Costs $2,000
Nakusp Secondary School – Cultural Trip – Cirque du Soleil – CORTEO $2,000
Kinship Connection Society – KCC Energy Updates Project $3,000
Nakusp Elementary – Ski Program $10,000
Nakusp Rail Society – Roofing of the Milk Wagon Shelter $575
The Edgewood Volunteer Fire Department Society – Fire Fighter Gala $1,500
Nakusp Fire Brigade – Fitness Equipment $2,500
CRESTON
Town of Creston – Accessory Dwelling Unites $10,000
Community Works Fund
AREA I
Castlegar and District Chamber of Commerce – West Kootenay Gateway Visitors Centre $25,000
AREA J
Castlegar and District Chamber of Commerce – West Kootenay Gateway Visitors Centre $25,000
Recreation Commission No. 4 – Nakusp and Area K
West Kootenay Football Club $6,000
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