Back to SearchNorth Cariboo Recreation Referendum bylaws proceeds, question defined
The Board has initiated the process to move forward with a referendum on upgrades to the Quesnel Arts and Recreation Center. At its March 24 meeting, the Board appointed Alice Johnston as the Chief Election Officer, and proceeded to read loan authorization bylaws three times. The next step in the process is to initiate the referendum seeking elector approval to borrow up to $35 million dollars for the upgrades and to increase the taxation cap for the parks and recreation service. General voting day will be on June 10, 2023, and additional information about the project, where to vote, and voter engagement events will be published online.
South Cariboo Joint Committee not considering aquatic center
A recommendation from the South Cariboo Joint Committee has been endorsed by the CRD’s Board, which officially removes an aquatic centre for 100 Mile House from consideration as part of any future referendum. With significant increases in construction costs, interest rates, and cost of living, the Joint Committee has determined that building and operating an aquatic centre is not financially feasible. While discussions will continue around the subject of a future recreation referendum for the South Cariboo, the options that may be presented going forward will not include any consideration of an aquatic centre.
2023-2027 Financial Plan adopted
The CRD’s financial plan has been officially adopted by the Board, and authorizes $58.4 million in funding for the regional district’s services over the next fiscal year. Tax requisitions for these services will now be forwarded to the Province of B.C., which will set the final tax rate and then issue property tax notices to residents based on the assessed value of their property. 2023 property taxes for all properties are due by July 4, 2023 to the Province of B.C. and can be paid through a financial institution, online, or at a Front Counter B.C. office.
Regional District of Fraser Fort George on hand for 9-1-1 update
The Board received an update on the 9-1-1 service from representatives of the Regional District of Fraser Fort George. Michael Higgins, General Manager of Community Services, provided an overview of the RDFFG’s 9-1-1 Fire Dispatch service, which provides dispatch services for fire departments in the Cariboo Regional District and several other regional district. He also provided the Board with an update on the transition from existing 9-1-1 systems to next generation 9-1-1 technology. The RDFFG will also be assessing the feasibility of repatriating 9-1-1 call taking for northern B.C. in order to improve the delivery and resiliency of 9-1-1 services for B.C.
Changes to Director’s remuneration contemplated
The Board has requested CRD staff to return analyze the impacts of changes that are being contemplated for elected official remuneration. The changes being contemplated include: an increase to base compensation for rural directors to $28,900 per year (up from approximately $12,900 per year), while leaving compensation for municipal directors the same. The Board also proposed adopting CRA mileage rates for travel costs and removing the cap on travel time that may be claimed under the policy. The proposed changes remain preliminary and are subject to further consideration informed by cost estimates from staff on the proposed changes.
Upcoming Meetings:
Apr 11, 2023 @ 3:00 P.M. – North Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus Meeting
Apr 11, 2023 @ 5:30 P.M. – North Cariboo Joint Advisory Committee Meeting
Apr 14, 2023 @ 9:30 A.M. – CRD & CCRHD Board Meetings
Apr 17, 2023 @ 11:00 A.M. – South Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus Meeting
Apr 17, 2023 @ 12:00 P.M. – South Cariboo Joint Committee Meeting
See the full CCRHD and CRD agendas at cariboord.ca/agendasminutes.
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