Council Highlights - May 3, 2021

• The City is hosting a Special Council Meeting on Wednesday, May 5 via Zoom to review the Water - Sewer Rates Progress Report and to provide an update for information on the proposed research, outreach, and next steps to further enhance implementation of the rates. Find the agenda and meeting details at castlegar.ca,
• Council received the City’s 2020 Water Quality Report which shows the City’s water system met all regulatory requirements for drinking water quality.
• Council received and approved the City’s 2020 Audited Financial Statements. The highlights include:
  • Saw a drop in revenue of $1.34 million as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The biggest revenue loss was from the West Kootenay Regional Airport, with revenue $905,370 lower than budgeted and gaming revenue losses due to the closure of the gaming centre. The City also saw lower investment income revenue due to the low-interest rate environment, reduced property tax penalties, and lost interest revenue from deferring the property tax due date. Through the COVID-19 Safe Restart Grant, the City recovered $1,089,909.
  • The water and sewer utilities fund saw a higher than budgeted revenues of approximately $214,000. The general fund, including all other City services, saw higher than budgeted revenues of $60,000, primarily from building permit revenue.
  • The 2020 operating budget was reduced by $364,000 in anticipation of potential losses the City could experience as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and Council directed staff to review the budget for additional savings. As a result, the City saw an additional reduction in operating expenses of $555,000. This one-time savings shows the City’s commitment to reducing costs during the global pandemic.
• Council adopted Revenue Anticipation Bylaw 1351 which allows the City to access short-term financing, in the form of a line of credit, with the Municipal Finance Authority, to cover operating expenses until the City receives its major source of revenue, property taxes, later in the year.
• Council reviewed a cost-sharing agreement for Castlegar River Estates, located at 100 18th Street, for the second phase of off-site works which will benefit the developer, the adjacent landowner, and the City. This will now be considered for approval at the May 17 Regular Council Meeting.
• Council voted to light up the Kinnaird overpass in June in celebration of Pride Month.
• Council supported the 2021 Census and encourages all residents to complete their census questionnaire online at www.census.gc.ca. Accurate and complete census data support programs and services that benefit our community.
• Council will recommend supporting the following community groups through Columbia Basin Trust’s Community Initiatives program to the Regional District of Central Kootenay which administers the program:

Find the videos of the meetings here.