News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

CCRHD Adopts New 10-Year Capital Plan

The Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) adopted a new ten-year capital plan. The new tax rate for 2010 will decrease to $67/$100,000 of assessment. In 1999 the CCRHD established a ten-year capital plan in an effort to reduce debt servicing costs and ensure sufficient funds were available for capital projects and equipment purchases. At that time a residential tax rate of $75/$100,000 of assessment was set and no further borrowing of funds was undertaken. This initiative has saved the tax payers over $1.5M per year in debt servicing costs, allowing these funds to be used for direct capital/equipment expenditures.  Due to a rapid increase in assessed values, the residential rate was permitted to drop to $69/$100,000 in 2008. Further details about the plan is available online at www.cariboord.bc.ca  

Audited Financial Statements

Chartered Accountant, Ron Rasmussen presented the Cariboo Regional Hospital District (CRHD), the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) and the CRD’s 2009 financial statements. According to Rasmussen, the financial position of the corporations remains strong. For inquiries contact the CRD’s Chief Financial Officer at 250-392-3351 or toll free at 1-800-665-1636. 

Community Works Funds

The Regional District approved a contribution of $26,500 from the Community Works fund to perform energy efficiency upgrades to the Bouchie Lake Community Hall’s furnaces, lighting, and insulation. The hall and property is owned by the Regional District and therefore no contribution agreement is required. 

Earth Hour 2010

The CRD Board of Directors have proclaimed March 27 from 8:30 to 9:30pm (local time) as Earth Hour 2010 in the Cariboo Chilcotin. Cities and communities in more than 70 countries will be flicking off their lights on March 27, to mark Earth Hour and show support for action on climate change. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Canada, is asking local governments to sign up, participate, and engage in celebrating sustainability efforts. Further information about this international event is available at www.earthhour.org  

Measuring Up the North

The Cariboo Regional District will be nominating its Accessible Trails Project to the 2010 Measuring Up the North Initiative Awards of Excellence. The Regional District will be requesting letters of support from member municipalities, tourism associations and community group partners in trail development. The awards are designed to recognize local governments, businesses, groups or individuals that have shown innovation and ingenuity to build more accessible communities. 

Treaty Advisory Committee Appointment

CRD Vice-Chair Ted Armstrong was appointed as the Regional District’s Treaty Advisory Committee (TAC) Chair for 2010. Armstrong has served as the CRD’s TAC Chair for the past 14 years. In this role, he participates in treaty negotiation sidetables throughout the region and liaises with provincial and federal negotiators. 

The Cariboo Regional District also agreed to apply for funding through the Union of British Columbia Municipalities’ Supporting Treaty Implementation Program. Recently the CRD was informed by UBCM that funding would be made available for 2010. Since 2007, UBCM has managed these funds on behalf of the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation in order to support increased transfer of knowledge between TACs and to support treaty implementation on a local level. 

Support for Arts on the Fly

The CRD Board agreed to provide $1,500 of Area F Economic Development funds to the Horsefly Arts on the Fly festival. The festival provides a venue for local musicians and artists and is a significant tourism draw for the central Cariboo. The festival not only improves quality of life for residents by providing an opportunity for celebrating and promoting the arts, but also enhances economic development by attracting visitors to the area. The 2010 festival takes place July 9 and 10, in Horsefly. Further information on the event is available online at www.artsonthefly.com               

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