The Mayor, City Council, and City Staff of Williams Lake are pleased with the city’s positive growth in business and construction through 2024.
In the Council report, the City of Williams Lake expanded its permits and business growth. Issuing 122 building permits, an increase of 90 from 2023.
The City also increased its total number of business licenses to 1,116. 115 business licenses were issued in 2024 alone.
Mayor Surinderpal Rathor says he is “very pleased and happy as a Mayor” with the progress that has been made in the last year. He credited much of the progress to his colleagues on the City Council, the City Staff, and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Gary Muraca. Also present at this meeting.
“All of us, and with the community, we are working together, and we will continue working towards progress, together,” Mayor Rathor said in his opening remarks in June 24’s council meeting.
“This council has not borrowed a single penny. We are cutting down our debt, we have paid off our bylaw debt.”
CAO Muraca highlighted the positive reports of the City’s financial position in 2024. Muraca reports the City has an $8.1 million surplus, which he wrote “sets a positive trajectory” for the next year, as well as provides a possible early debt repayment, still on the city’s books.
Mayor Rathor and CAO Muraca highlighted current ongoing projects that are made positive steps forward in 2024, and look to continue do so through 2025.
In the report, City Council reiterated their strategic priorities through 2026. Writing it will continue to create collaborate and partner with local Indigenous, senior levels of government, and non-profit organizations.
While housing and infrastructure remains a priority, the City wrote that attracting more business, industry, and exploring new ways to increase the Lake City’s livability and recreation for the future.
“ Everybody had only one objective in their heart to make this community much more better and attractive for the families, for us, for our kids,” said Mayor Rathor. “That’s all they have. That’s our objective.”
The 2024 Annual Report was approved unanimously by City Council, with one correction.
In a section of the report, the report includes a section of what different levels of government manage. The City attributes regional parks and recreation to the regional district.
Steve Forseth, Director for Electoral Area D in the Cariboo Regional District, clarified the Regional District has had discusssions on taking management of regional parks, but has not agreed to the responsibility at this point in time.
Forseth then thanks the City of Williams Lake Staff and current City Council for the positive working relationship they share with the Cariboo Regional District.
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