2010 Budget – Area "L"
(... using scarce resources to meet competing demands ...)
There are three District budgets administered by Board members.
- The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) budget provides funding for the 110 plus programs and services that are delivered by the CRD.
- The Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) is mandated by the Province to provide funding for Interior Health and Northern Health capital projects as well as funding for recruitment and retention of health professionals. Capital funding is generally split 40% from the Regional District and 60% from the Provincial Government.
- Cariboo Regional Hospital District (CRHD) was replaced in 1996 by the CCRHD as the funding agency for capital projects however an annual budget is still required for the CRHD to pay down previously borrowed funding. It is expected that the CRHD loans will be paid off in 2014 at which time the Regional Health District will be dissolved.
Highlights
While the figures are still provisional, the majority of programs and services will see only inflationary adjustments or no increase at all compared with the 2009 figures. There are, however, a few significant exceptions:
- Administrative Services has decreased and Electoral Area Administration has increased to reflect a redistribution of costs between the two functions.
- The South Cariboo Solid Waste requisition will increase from $700,309 to $924,914 as a result of increased costs and lower revenues
- The 100 Mile House Fringe Fire Protection requisition will increase from $89,075 to $166,447 as a result of a renegotiated contract
- The 911 Emergency Telephone requisition is expected to increase from $785,655 to $824,102 as a result of contract negotiations currently underway
Preliminary tax rates were presented at the January 25th Town Hall meeting.
More details are provided below.
Background
The Cariboo Regional District updates its Business Plan and 5-year Financial Plan each year to reflect the addition of new programs and services, changes in program priorities, changes in revenue streams and inflationary cost pressures.
The business plan provides a description of each service, annual goals and objectives, projected financial requirements, and significant trends as well as a summary of the previous year`s accomplishments.
The 5-year financial plan provides, in spreadsheet form, actual revenues and costs for previous years, proposed and/or final revenues and costs for the budget year, and projected revenues and costs for future years. The budget is broken down into line items such as staff salaries and benefits, travel, and utilities.
The basics:
- Regional District revenues are derived from a combination of user fees, parcel taxes, and taxes based on the assessed value of land and/or improvements. In addition, the Regional District continuously builds up various reserve funds that can be drawn down to pay for capital purchases. The Regional District is also able to access grant funding from a variety of sources undertake work.
- Property assessments are carried out by the BC Assessment Authority. The assessment notice provides details on what to do if you disagree with your assessment.
- Property tax notices are issued by the BC Ministry of Finance which collects the taxes on behalf of the province and the regional district.
- Approximately 35% of property taxes are returned to the regional district for delivery of its programs and services. The remaining 65% is retained by the province for the delivery of its programs and services (education, hospitals, highways, policing)
- The regional district budget is "compartmentalized". Funds must be used for the purpose they were intended. For example, taxes raised for a community hall in Area L cannot be used for a fire department in Area L or for any service in a different electoral area.
- Some budgets are restricted to a "specified area". For example, only property owners in the Interlakes fire service area pay taxes for the Interlakes fire department.
- In addition to the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District and the Cariboo Regional Hospital District, there are 29 programs and services funded by property owners in Area "L".
- The budget cycle begins in August of the preceding year and final budgets are approved in March of the budget year.
CRD Programs and Services
There are over 110 programs and services provided by the Cariboo Regional District. Twenty-nine of these are funded by some or all of the property owners in Area L. Click on the program below for a brief description of the service.
Please note that the financial information provided here is the tax requisition. This is the amount that is being raised through your property taxes to fund the program. There may be other funds (user fees, grants, reserves) that are used to cover the full cost of the service, however for the sake of simplicity only the requisition is provided here. If you wish to see a full breakdown of the budget for the program or service, please contact me.
General Government
- Electoral Area Administration (1002)
- Administrative Services (1003)
- Feasibility Study (1004)
- Planning (1005)
- Bylaw Enforcement Services(1006)
- South/Central Cariboo Building Inspection Services(1007)
- Rural Refuse (1008)
- Solid Waste Management (1009)
- Invasive Plant Management Program (1010)
- South Cariboo Solid Waste (1016)
- South Cariboo Economic Development (1017)
- Rural Feasibility (1019)
Grants in Aid
Airports
Protective Services
- 100 Mile House Fringe Fire Protection (1320)
- Deka Lake Fire Protection (1326)
- Lone Butte Fire Protection (1329)
- Interlakes Fire Protection (1367)
- 911 Emergency Telephone (1380)
- Electoral Area Emergency Planning (1385)
Street lighting
Recreation
- South Cariboo Recreation Arena (1546)
- South Cariboo Recreation - Programming (1547)
- South Cariboo Recreation Curling Rink (1551)
- Area L Community Hall and Recreation Support Service (1559)
- Library (1660)
- Heritage Conservation (1670)
Water Supply
Back to topElectoral Area Administration (1002)
- Description: This function includes administrative and governance activities specifically attributable to the rural Electoral Areas.
- Participation: All Electoral Areas
- 2009 Requisition: $612,031
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: not yet available
- Comments: This budget has increased because some costs previously charged to Administrative Services are now charged to Electoral Area Administration to better reflect where those costs are incurred.
Administrative Services (1003)
- Description: This function includes administrative activities of general application throughout the CRD including financial services, data management/clerical support, corporate communications and computer technology support.
- Participation: All Electoral Areas and the four municipalities
- 2009 Requisition: $1,828,441
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: not yet available
- Comments: This budget has decreased because some costs previously charged to Administrative Services are now charged to Electoral Area Administration to better reflect where those costs are incurred.
Feasibility Study (1004)
- Description: This function allows the regional district to temporarily access funds to research the feasibility of new functions with the intent that if a new function is established, funds are returned to the feasibility study function reserve.
- Participation: All Electoral Areas and the four municipalities
- 2009 Requisition: $0
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $0
- Comments: Reserve is dropping below the $85,000 target, however the Board has decided to defer replenishing at this time. It will be necessary to deal with this at a future date in order to continue to respond to requests for new programs or services.
Planning (1005)
- Description: Current planning involves daily database maintenance and response to inquiries for
house numbers; current zoning information; current Official Community Plan designations; information respecting
Agricultural Land Reserve status, policies and applications; information regarding subdivision and development of
private lands; and Crown land referrals.
Current planning also involves applications to amend Official Community Plan designations and the zoning/rural land use bylaws, applications for temporary land use permits, development permit areas or development variance permits, and applications under the Agricultural Land Commission Act.
Long-range planning consists of the preparation, implementation, amendment and administration of land use policies to guide future growth and development over an expanse of land. Generally, long-range planning pertains to the Official Community Plans (OCP). - Participation: All Electoral Area Directors and the District of Wells
- 2009 Requisition: $469,542
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $479,673
- Comments: Inflationary increase
Bylaw Enforcement Services (1006)
- Description: Services include:
- Taking and registering complaints from the Public, Staff and Area Directors;
- Investigating complaints for validity;
- Enforcing Cariboo Regional District bylaws for compliance;
- Negotiating compliance agreements with violators.
- Participation: All Electoral Areas
- 2009 Requisition: $126,900
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $126,900
- Comments: no change
South/Central Cariboo Building Inspection Services (1007)
- Description: Services include:
- Technical plan reviews and administration of the building permit process;
- The provision of building and plumbing inspections at construction sites;
- Responding to public enquiries relating to construction standards and regulations;
- Providing initial enforcement of the building bylaw;
- Verifying that projects comply with zoning and land use bylaws.
- Participation: Electoral Areas "D", part of "E", part of "F", "G", "H" and "L".
- 2009 Requisition: $168,484
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $185,332
- Comments: Inflationary increase
Rural Refuse (1008)
- Description: The function provides solid waste management services for all rural areas except for a portion of Electoral Areas "G", "H", and "L" in the South Cariboo and District of 100 Mile House. Facilities consist of refuse transfer stations at Williams Lake, Wildwood, Frost Creek, Horsefly, 150 Mile House, McLeese Lake, Chimney Lake, Riske Creek, Alexis Creek, Eagle Creek, Cottonwood, Baker Creek and Alexandria. In addition, there are landfills at Gibraltar, Wells, Nazko, Big Lake, Likely, Mahood Lake, Sheridan Lake, Watch Lake, Cochin, Kleena Kleene, Puntzi Lake, Tatla Lake, Nemaiah Valley, and Anahim/Nimpo Lake.
- Participation: All Electoral Areas and the District of Wells except for a portion of Electoral Areas "G", "H", and "L". In Area "L", Horse Lake and Lone Butte are included within the South Cariboo Solid Waste service rather than Rural Refuse.
- 2009 Requisition: $2,754,765
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $2,782,170
- Comments: Inflationary increase
Solid Waste Management (1009)
- Description: The Solid Waste Management Plan function was established to finance the development of a Solid Waste Management Plan. It has remained in effect to deal with plan amendments and jointly funded services, such as the recycling hotline and the reduction and reuse promotion.
- Participation: All Electoral Areas and the four municipalities
- 2009 Requisition: $16,672
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $16,673
- Comments: No change
Invasive Plant Management Program (1010)
- Description: Services include:
- Coordinating and cooperating with other organizations, both public and private, to ensure that effective and acceptable invasive plant control measures are carried out;
- Providing information and advice to property owners;
- Loaning spray equipment to the public to encourage invasive plant control on private land;
- Dispensing demonstration amounts of herbicide to private landowners, other agencies, and corporate stakeholders;
- Releasing biological control agents in strategic areas;
- Undertaking public education initiatives aimed at raising awareness about invasive plants and the problem they create; and,
- Maintaining a GIS-based mapping system relative to areas infested with invasive plants.
- Participation: All Electoral Areas, the City of Williams Lake, and the District of Wells. The City of Quesnel participates through a contract arrangement with the Regional District.
- 2009 Requisition: $220,372
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $172,170
- Comments: The budget has been reduced to reflect Quesnel's move to a contract arrangement. The budget includes inflationary increases.
South Cariboo Solid Waste (1016)
- Description: The function provides solid waste management services in the South Cariboo, to serve the District of 100 Mile House and portions of Electoral Areas "G", "H", and "L". As well, refuse collection services are provided by the Cariboo Regional District for residents in the 108 Mile Ranch subdivision and funds are collected and remitted to the District of 100 Mile House to provide residential garbage collection for its residents.
- Participation: Portions of Electoral Areas "G", "H" and "L" and the District of 100 Mile House. In Area "L", Horse Lake and Lone Butte are included within the South Cariboo Solid Waste Service area.
- 2009 Requisition: $700,309
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $924,914
- Comments: Tipping fees for commercial waste were introduced in 2009 to encourage waste reduction however many businesses are avoiding the fees by taking their waste to rural transfer stations. This has resulted in higher costs for staffing the central landfill site, higher costs for dealing with the increased volume at the rural transfer sites and lower than expected revenues. In order to mitigate this trend, fees will be adjusted in 2010 to make it less advantageous to avoid the central landfill site fees. It is expected that the updated Solid Waste Management Plan will provide a longer term solution. In the short term however it is expected that costs will remain high and a budget increase will be required.
South Cariboo Economic Development (1017)
- Description: The service supports and promotes economic development in the South Cariboo primarily through project-based contracts with the South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce and the 100 Mile Development Corporation.
- Participation: Electoral Areas "G", "H", and "L"
- 2009 Requisition: $30,000
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $30,000
- Comments: No change
Rural Feasibility (1019)
- Description: The Rural Feasibility Study function was established to recognize that many services or functions were applicable to the rural areas only. Regional districts are able to temporarily access funds to research the feasibility of new functions with the intent that if a new function is established, funds are returned to the rural feasibility study function budget.
- Participation: All Electoral Areas
- 2009 Requisition: $0
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $5,000
- Comments: The reserve has dropped below the target of $55,000. The requisition is intended to partially replenish the reserve.
Grants-for-Assistance (1055-1088)
- Description: The service provides assistance to those applicants who provide a verified benefit to the community and have a demonstrated need for assistance.
- Participation: Area "L"
- 2009 Requisition: $18,450
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $23,200
- Comments: Additional funding is provided to support groups who have lost other sources of funding.
Area "A" "L" Administration (1285)
- Description: The service includes the Opportunity Fund and the Special Initiative Fund. The Opportunity Fund is used for one-time contributions for special events or capital projects. The Special Initiatives Fund is used to cover the Electoral Area Director's costs for training or additional travel for special interest initiatives.
- Participation: Each Electoral Area
- 2009 Requisition: $0
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $2,000
- Comments: The reserve has dropped below the target of $5,000. The requisition is intended to partially replenish the reserve
South Cariboo Regional Airport (1113)
- Description: The CRD, through the South Cariboo Airport Commission, operates the airport at 108 Mile. The airport is the main access point to the South Cariboo for large commercial aircraft as well as Medivac and RCMP flights.
- Participation: Electoral areas "G", "H", and "L" and the District of 100 Mile House
- 2009 Requisition: $139,258
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $140,606
- Comments: Inflationary increase
100 Mile House Fringe Fire Protection (1320)
- Description: 100 Mile House Fire Department is contracted by the CRD to provide fire protection services in the Horse Lake area.
- Participation: Portion of Electoral Area "L"
- 2009 Requisition: $89,075
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $166,447
- Comments: The contract with the 100 Mile House Fire Department for provision of fire protection services to the fringe area has been renegotiated. While the increase is significant, the service is still one of the most cost effective in the region.
Deka Lake Fire Protection (1326)
- Description: The Deka Lake Volunteer Fire Department provides fire protection services within the boundaries of the fire protection area and assists other fire departments through a mutual aid agreement.
- Participation: Portion of Electoral Area "L"
- 2009 Requisition: $83,234
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $84,982
- Comments: Inflationary increase
Lone Butte Fire Protection (1329)
- Description: The Lone Butte Volunteer Fire Department provides fire protection, first responder and auto extrication services within the fire protection boundary of the service area and assists other fire departments through a mutual aid agreement.
- Participation: Portion of Electoral Areas "G" and "L"
- 2009 Requisition: $134,603
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $135,533
- Comments: Inflationary increase
Interlakes Fire Protection (1367)
- Description: The Interlakes Volunteer Fire Department provides fire protection and first responder services to the properties within the boundaries of the fire protection area and assists other fire departments through a mutual aid agreement.
- Participation: Portion of Electoral Area "L"
- 2009 Requisition: $286,965
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $289,974
- Comments: Inflationary increase
911 Emergency Telephone (1380)
- Description: 9-1-1 service is provided through a contract agreement with the Regional District of Fraser Fort George.
- Participation: All Electoral Areas and the four municipalities
- 2009 Requisition: $785,655
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $824,102
- Comments: Contract negotiations are underway and are expected to result in a significant cost increase.
Electoral Area Emergency Planning (1385)
- Description: The service was created as a result of provincial legislation requiring that Regional Districts develop an emergency management organization and prepare an emergency plan for their jurisdiction.
- Participation: All Electoral Areas
- 2009 Requisition: $109,115
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $113,244
- Comments: Inflationary increase
Lone Butte Street lighting (1433)
- Description: The local service area is illuminated by 14 streetlights.
- Participation: Portion of Electoral Area "L"
- 2009 Requisition: $2,429
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $2,479
- Comments: Inflationary increase
South Cariboo Recreation Arena (1546)
- Description: The South Cariboo Recreation Centre, which includes a geothermal ice plant and heating system for the arena, curling rink and meeting rooms, was completed in 2003. The recreation centre and adjacent curling rink are operated by Canlan Ice Sports under a management contract with the Cariboo Regional District
- Participation: Portions of Electoral Areas "G", "H" and "L" and the District of 100 Mile House
- 2009 Requisition: $505,294
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $507,570
- Comments: Inflationary increase
South Cariboo Recreation - Programming (1547)
- Description: The service provides recreation and leisure activities for residents of the South Cariboo and supports the efforts of community groups in their related pursuits. This service is delivered under contract by Canlan Ice Sports for activity programs linked to the South Cariboo Recreation Centre. Also included in the service is a five-year lease agreement with the District of 100 Mile House for Lumberman's Park and Robinson Park, which are multi-use ball fields adjacent to the recreation centre. The agreement with the District includes maintenance of the outdoor washrooms. The 108 Beach program is also part of this function and is provided through an agreement with the 108 Mile Ranch Community Association.
- Participation: Electoral Areas "G", "H", and "L"
- 2009 Requisition: $28,065
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $30,671
- Comments: The $2,500 increase is required to meet contract obligations with 100 Mile House for the ball field lease. This is the second year of a three year commitment.
South Cariboo Recreation Curling Rink (1551)
- Description: The curling rink facility is managed by the 100 Mile and District Curling Club during the ice season and by Canlan Ice Sports during the off-season through agreements with the Cariboo Regional District.
- Participation: Portions of Electoral Areas "G", "H" and "L"and the District of 100 Mile House
- 2009 Requisition: $36,641
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $36,891
- Comments: Inflationary increase
Area L Community Hall and Recreation Facility Support Service (1559)
- Description: The service provides funds to support the Lone Butte Community Hall, the Interlakes Community Hall at Roe Lake, and the Watch Lake Community Hall. Funds are provided to the community associations which manage the properties.
- Participation: Electoral Area "L"
- 2009 Requisition: $47,943
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $47,943
- Comments: No change
Library (1660)
- Description: Library services are provided through fifteen branches, to residents of the Cariboo Regional District. Public services include: region-wide lending of print, audio and video materials; facilitating interlibrary loan requests; responding to patron requests for information / materials by searching the Librarys online catalogue, website, subscription databases and Outlook Online, the provincial database and online service supporting interlibrary loan requests. The Library also provides free access to public internet stations located in its branches, free meeting space for nonprofit groups, regular story time programs for children and special interest programs for adults.
- Participation: All Electoral Areas and the four municipalities
- 2009 Requisition: $2,786,146
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $2,879,111
- Comments: Inflationary increase
Heritage Conservation (1670)
- Description: The service facilitates the inclusion of heritage properties on the heritage registry.
- Participation: All Electoral Areas
- 2009 Requisition: $5,000
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $5,000
- Comments: No change
Horse Lake Water (1889)
- Description: The Horse Lake water function will be established in 2009 and services 167 land parcels. The system is comprised of two wells, a well house, associated pumps and distribution piping, fire hydrants and one reservoir.
- Participation: Portion of Electoral Area "L"
- 2009 Requisition: $17,400
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $17,400
- Comments: No change
Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD)
- Description: Health care in the region is planned, coordinated, and governed by the Interior Health Authority and the Northern Health Authority. All Cariboo Chilcotin residents pay for the costs of building local hospitals and purchasing equipment through two taxes on their property tax notice: the active Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District and the previous Cariboo Regional Hospital District. Currently active, the CCRHD cost shares with the Ministry of Health for acute care and extended care capital purchases. The Health Authorities fund 60% while the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District funds 40%. The Board of Directors has committed to keeping the tax rate for the two Regional Hospital Districts at a sum of $75 per $100,000 of residential assessment.
- Participation: All Electoral Areas and the four municipalities
- 2009 Requisition: $5,826,426
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $5,983,430
- Comments: Inflationary increase
Cariboo Regional Hospital District (CRHD)
- Description: The Cariboo Regional Hospital District is the previous regional hospital district. In 1996, the Ministry of Health changed the boundaries of the Regional Hospital District and created a new Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD). Although inactive, the old CRHD must remain in existence until all the debt acquired for capital projects is retired, which is scheduled for 2014.
- Participation: All Electoral Areas and the four municipalities
- 2009 Requisition: $868,823
- Provisional 2010 Requisition: $810,246
- Comments: Decrease
Budget Cycle
Budget planning begins in August of the preceding year and final budgets are approved in March of the budget year. Major milestones include:
- August - regional district staff meet with facility and program managers (eg. fire chiefs, community association representatives) to discuss budget requirements
- October - draft business plan with proposed new year objectives is presented to the Board of Directors for review and discussion
- November provisional budget is submitted to Board of Directors for discussion
- December provisional budget is presented to the Board of Directors for approval
- January budget year begins based on provisional budget
- January/February draft final budget is presented to constituents at Town Hall meetings
- March final budget is presented to Board of Directors for approval
- March tax requisition is forwarded to province for collection
- May tax notices are issued to property owners
- July province provides first instalment of tax revenues
- December - budget year ends