Regional district highlights
Highlights of the Central Okanagan Regional Board meeting, Feb. 2
Draft 2023-27 five-year financial plan
The Central Okanagan regional board has received a presentation on the draft 2023-27 financial plan. It totals over $61.4-million, up 3.4% from 2022 and includes over $13.2-million in debt with the Municipal Finance Authority on behalf of local governments and the Okanagan Regional Library. The tax impact for the average property owner varies depending on location and services received from the regional district. Detailed information is available and email comments on the fiscal priorities may be provided at yours.rdco.com. Staff have been directed to review the proposed requisitions to see if any reductions can be considered. Residents may comment in person to the regional board at its 6 p.m. Feb. 16 meeting. Final adoption of the RDCO and Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District financial plans is scheduled for meetings on March 30.
Investigating expanded curbside organics
The regional board received a report outlining potentially expanding the curbside collection program to include food waste with the pickup of yard waste. It’s proposed $525,000 be allocated to undertake further actions and consultation toward developing, implementing and operating expanded residential organics collection. The board will consider a consultation and engagement strategy before giving final approval.
Proposed Recycle BC changes
The regional board unanimously authorized the chair to send a letter to the Ministry of Environment, opposing proposed changes by Recycle BC. The draft Packaging and Paper Product Extended Producer Responsibility Plan would see the loss of several existing recycling depots.
Regional Parks Visitor Services update
The regional board received a presentation and report from Parks Services outlining program and visitor highlights for last year. It’s estimated during 2022 more than 36,000 people took part in a Regional Park interpretive program or event. That’s up from 27,633 in 2021 and well on the way to returning to the pre-pandemic numbers when approximately 43,000 people participated in park programs. Last year, more than 700 programs and events were held in 27 regional parks and volunteers logged over 1,000 hours.
Friends of Fintry funding request
The board supported a request by the Friends of Fintry Provincial Park Society to restore and add a $40,000 operating grant-in-aid for one year, conditional on the non-profit society providing annual financial information to the RDCO. Since 2020, the grant was phased out over three years. The funding has been allocated to support non-profit Friends of Regional Parks organizations.
OK with cellphone tower
The board approved sending a letter of concurrence for an application from Rogers Communications Inc. to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Rogers has applied to install a 15.9-metre tower on a portion of private land at 2411 Westside Rd.