The North Cariboo Joint Advisory Committee is recommending the largest increase ever for recreation.
An 8 percent increase was unanimously approved at last (Tuesday) night’s meeting in Quesnel.
That works out to $9.29 per 100 thousand dollars worth of assessment.
Roughly half of the 8 percent increase is to top up reserves.
Some at the table, including CRD Area A Director Mary Sjostrom, supported beefing up the reserves but she was also skeptical that they can stick to the plan.
“I do not want to have this tax increase if next year we’re going to be deciding that we should do something else and take 2 or 300 thousand out of it, because for me I think it’s really important that we build those reserves, and the reserves are exceptionally low for the amount of budgeting that is required for this recreation.”
John Massier, the CRD Director for Area C, agreed.
“I share Director Sjostrom’s concerns with building up reserves and then we find something to take a little bit out of it every year. It seems like rather than our capital reserves going up, they have been dropping rapidly in the last few years.”
Quesnel Mayor Ron Paull noted that they needed to have some money in the bank so that they can move ahead.
Jeff Norburn, the Director of Community Services, said that the proposed financial plan would put roughly 2.8 million dollars into capital reserves over 5 years.
He also noted that the budget didn’t include a number of major capital projects.
“The plan does not include any proposed major capital projects where significant external funding or borrowing is required such as the proposed gymnastics facility, the proposed indoor court facility, a reduced scope pool renovation project, upgrades to the Bouchie Lake outdoor area, or a performing arts centre Additionally, some other significant capital projects have not been included in the capital plan, including structural upgrades to the Agriplex in Alex Fraser Park, replacement of the Rodeo washrooms in Alex Fraser Park, purchase of a dry event floor for the West Fraser Centre, and the purchase of an electric Zamboni.”
The plan does include an increase of $25,000 to the Barlow Creek Recreation Commission due to inflationary pressures and the cost of maintaining the ball fields, and a plan to replace the siding at the Rec Centre for 140 thousand dollars.
The five-year capital plan calls for an 8 percent hike in each of the next five years.
For perspective, the largest increase in at least the past decade is 4 percent.
Everything still has to be approved by the Cariboo Regional District Board.
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