2012 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 over 100 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 2011 figures.

The combined requisition for the two Hospital Boards will decrease by 2.4%. The Cariboo Regional Hospital District requisition will decrease by 3.8% and will be eliminated in 2014. The Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District will decrease by 2.2% and will reach a targeted tax rate of $50 per $100,000 of assessed value by 2015.

The requisition for all CRD services is currently forecast to increase by 2.4%. The significant changes affecting Area "L" are:

Bylaw Enforcement – The budget has been increased to permit hiring of additional bylaw enforcement officer(s).
Solid Waste - The solid waste management plan update will be completed in the Spring. Budget adjustments for 2012 and later years may be required in order to implement the plan.
Deka Lake Fire Protection – A budget increase of 10% is required to address operational costs and to begin rebuilding capital reserves.
Grants – Funding in the amount of $10,000 has been tentatively earmarked for a contribution to a proposed community foundation.
Horse Lake Water – Parcel tax and requisition increases are required as a result of extensive upgrades and improvements to the water system.

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.
30% to 50% of property taxes are returned to the regional district for delivery of its programs and services. The remaining taxes are 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 30 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 100 programs and services provided by the Cariboo Regional District. Twenty-eight 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.

Electoral 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
2010 Requisition: $1,221,228
2011 Requisition: $1,186,653
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $1,246,253
Comments: The 2012 requisition is 5% higher than the 2011 level. This increase is partially offset by a 1.4% percent requisition increase in the General Administration function, reducing the total increase between the two administrative functions to approximately 3.6%. When the Board resolved to separate out governance costs and reallocate administrative costs between the Electoral Area Administration function and the General Administration function, it was noted that it would require a year or two of experience to get the allocations in line and the 2012 allocations most accurately reflect these changes.

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
2010 Requisition: $1,151,952
2011 Requisition: $1,151,952
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $1,161,952
Comments: Inflationary increase of 1.4%.

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
2010 Requisition: $0
2011 Requisition: $20,000
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $15,000
Comments: The 2012 requisition is 25% lower than the 2011 requisition.

Rural Feasibility (1019)

Description: This function allows the regional district to temporarily access funds to research the feasibility of new functions applicable to rural areas only.
Participation: All Electoral Areas
2009 Requisition: $0
2010 Requisition: $5,000
2011 Requisition: $0
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $0
Comments: The reserve was replenished in previous years and no requisition is currently required.

CRD Governance (1024)

Description: This function includes attendance of all municipal and electoral area directors at Board, budget, orientation and strategic planning sessions.
Participation: All Electoral Areas and the four Municipalities
2009 Requisition: n/a
2010 Requisition: n/a
2011 Requisition: $190,516
Provisional 20121 Requisition: $194,326
Comments: Inflationary increase of 2%.

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
2010 Requisition: $480,238
2011 Requisition: $480,238
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $480,238
Comments: No change is proposed for 2012.

Bylaw Enforcement Services (1006)

Description: Services include:
1. Taking and registering complaints from the Public, Staff and Area Directors;
2. Investigating complaints for validity;
3. Enforcing Cariboo Regional District bylaws for compliance;
4. Negotiating compliance agreements with violators.
Participation: All Electoral Areas
2009 Requisition: $126,900
2010 Requisition: $131,800
2011 Requisition: $125,000
Provisional 2011 Requisition: $247,357
Comments: It is proposed to hire an additional bylaw enforcement officer either as a full time position or two part-time positions. The budget has been increased accordingly.

Building Inspection Services (1007)

Description: In 2010, the South/Central Building Inspection Services was amalgamated with the North Cariboo Building Inspection Services in order to streamline administration and provide more flexibility in sharing staff. Services include:
1. Technical plan reviews and administration of the building permit process;
2. The provision of building and plumbing inspections at construction sites;
3. Responding to public enquiries relating to construction standards and regulations;
4. Providing initial enforcement of the building bylaw;
5. Verifying that projects comply with zoning and land use bylaws.
Participation: Electoral Areas part of "A", part of "B", part of "C", "D", part of "E", part of "F", "G", "H", part of "I", and "L".
2009 Requisition: $271,611
2010 Requisition: $341,283
2011 Requisition: $341,283
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $348,109
Comments: Inflationary increase of 2%

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: $16,673
2010 Requisition: $16,673
2011 Requisition: $12,688
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $12,688
Comments: No change is proposed for 2012.

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: $2,764,168
2010 Requisition: $2,795,699
2011 Requisition: $2,791,682
Provisional 2011 Requisition: $2,842,516
Comments: Inflationary increase of 1.8%.

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
2010 Requisition: $927,410
2011 Requisition: $1,037,381
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $1,037,381
Comments: No change is proposed for 2012.

Invasive Plant Management Program (1010)

Description: Services include:
1. Coordinating and cooperating with other organizations, both public and private, to ensure that effective and acceptable invasive plant control measures are carried out;
2. Providing information and advice to property owners;
3. Loaning spray equipment to the public to encourage invasive plant control on private land;
4. Dispensing demonstration amounts of herbicide to private landowners, other agencies, and corporate stakeholders;
5. Releasing biological control agents in strategic areas;
6. Undertaking public education initiatives aimed at raising awareness about invasive plants and the problem they create; and,
7. 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
2010 Requisition: $177,603
2011 Requisition: $177,603
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $181,155
Comments: Inflationary increase of 2.0%.

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
2010 Requisition: $30,000
2011 Requisition: $66,500
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $66,500
Comments: No change is proposed for 2012.

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
2010 Requisition: $23,200
2011 Requisition: $24,000
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $25,525
Comments: Proposed increase of 5.4%.

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
2010 Requisition: $140,624
2011 Requisition: $152,897
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $156,045
Comments: Inflationary increase of 2.1%.

Area "L" (1296)

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
2010 Requisition: $2,000
2011 Requisition: $3,836
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $3,450
Comments: Proposed decrease of 10%.

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
2010 Requisition: $166,447
2011 Requisition: $160,000
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $160,00
Comments: No change is proposed in 2012.

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
2010 Requisition: $85,048
2011 Requisition: $86,111
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $94,722
Comments: The 2012 requisition is increased by 10% from the 2011 requisition as a result of increased operating costs. This increase will just allow a minimum annual contribution to capital reserve funds necessary for future apparatus purchases.

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
2010 Requisition: $135,601
2011 Requisition: $137,296
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $140,042
Comments: Inflationary increase of 2.0%

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
2010 Requisition: $290,013
2011 Requisition: $293,437
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $299,306
Comments: Inflationary increase of 2.0%

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
2010 Requisition: $822,745
2011 Requisition: $833,029
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $862,185
Comments: Proposed increase of 3.5% as a result of increased operating costs and a requirement to build a capital reserve for replacement of aging equipment.

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
2010 Requisition: $111,943
2011 Requisition: $116,835
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $100,478
Comments: Proposed decrease of 14%.

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
2010 Requisition: $2,429
2011 Requisition: $2,429
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $2,778
Comments: Proposed increase of 14% to address increased operating costs.

South Cariboo Recreation (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. In 2010, the South Cariboo Arena, Curling and Recreation programs were combined into a single South Cariboo Recreation function with a taxation area that coincides with the previous taxation area for the Arena.
Participation: Portions of Electoral Areas "G", "H" and "L" and the District of 100 Mile House
2009 Requisition: $570,000
2010 Requisition: $575,168
2011 Requisition: $547,168
Provisional 2012Requisition: $588,441
Comments: Inflationary increase of less than 1%.

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
2010 Requisition: $48,082
2011 Requisition: $48,082
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $48,082
Comments: No change is proposed in 2012.

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 Library's 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
2010 Requisition: $2,890,486
2011 Requisition: $2,890,486
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $2,890,486
Comments: No change is proposed in 2012.

Heritage Conservation (1670)

Description: The service facilitates the inclusion of heritage properties on the heritage registry.
Participation: All Electoral Areas
2009 Requisition: $5,000
2010 Requisition: $1,082
2011 Requisition: $5,000
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $5,000
Comments: No change is proposed in 2012.

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
2010 Requisition: $17,400
2011 Requisition: $17,400
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $20,760
Comments: Proposed requisition increase of 14% plus a parcel tax increase from $100 to $120 to fund extensive capital improvements.

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
2010 Requisition: $916,659
2011 Requisition: $785,207
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $755,471
Comments: On track for payout of debt by 2014 at current requisition level.

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%.
Participation: All Electoral Areas and the four municipalities
2009 Requisition: $5,826,426
2010 Requisition: $5,987,693
2011 Requisition: $5,827,351
Provisional 2012 Requisition: $5,696,848
Comments: The plan is to reduce the combined CCHRD and CRHD requisition over the next few years to a level of $50 per $100,000 of assessed value and maintain it at that level.

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