Adoption of the 2015-19 Financial Plan

The 2015-19 Financial Plan Bylaw No. 2512, 2015, was adopted. The 2015 Final Financial Plan is proposing a tax requisition of $23,970,898, which is a 1.4% increase to the 2014 budget.

There is a net increase to operating reserves of $2,040,055, which consists of transfers into the general administration, Solid Waste, E911, and Building Department operating reserves. The average residential taxpayer in Kamloops will see no increase per household, as the increase in the tax dollars requisitioned will come from new growth. The average residential taxpayer in the rest of the Regional District will see changes ranging from a decrease of $38 to an increase of $20.

Film Commission Strategic Plan Adopted

The Thompson-Nicola Film Commission’s 2016–18 Strategic Plan was adopted. The key initiatives of the Strategic Plan include: in-person marketing; digital animation and visual effects in motion picture production; TNFC website; local awareness; and Regional Distant Film Tax Credit for Service Productions (Foreign.)

Ad-hoc Communication Committee Formed

The Board agreed to create an ad-hoc committee focused on communication. The committee will be active for up to six months and will be made up of five directors and the chair (exofficio.) The purpose of the committee will be to identify ways to seek input from the electorate about how the TNRD can more effectively communicate with them; provide input to staff about how existing communication tools and strategies can be enhanced; and clarify communication responsibilities of directors and develop key messages directors can use in their communication activities.

Changes to Mobile Home Park Bylaw

The current TNRD Mobile Home Park (MHP) Bylaw No. 1949, 2003, is proposed to be replaced with Bylaw 2504. Bylaw 2504 received the first two readings. This update is primarily for the purposes of:
- Definitions/provision concordance
- Better providing for bare land strata subdivisions of MHPs
- Advisable clarifications based upon recent litigation

There are also proposed amendments for Zoning Bylaw 2400 for the purposes of concordance. Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2509, 2015, was given two readings and will be brought forward to a public hearing at a future Board meeting.

Updates to the Directors Expense

Reimbursement and Remuneration Bylaw Amendments have been approved for a number of aspects of the Directors Expense Reimbursement and Remuneration Bylaw No. 2505, 2015, including: an increase to the Electoral Area Directors and Municipal Directors’ communication allowances; an increase to the base meeting rate; and reimbursement of expenses for attending up to three TNRD grand openings a year.

2014 Financial Statements Reviewed

As per the Community Charter, the TNRD will submit the 2014 Consolidated Financial Statements to the Inspector of Municipalities. The financial statements are also available for public viewing via the TNRD website and in person at the TNRD office located at 465 Victoria St. in Kamloops.

News from © iNFOnews, 2015