Upgrades to dock facilities in the regional district are an expensive proposition.
During a review of rural financial statements at the Powell River Regional District’s August 20 rural services committee meeting, Sandy McCormick, Electoral Area D director, said she had a question about the Texada Island marine facilities. She said $28,781 would be transferred to the accumulated surplus and she asked about the intended use of the surplus.
Linda Greenan, manager of financial services, who prepared the report, said the surplus would be used for upgrades to the Texada Island facility.
McCormick asked how much money was in that fund. Greenan said $113,706 was currently in the fund and it was projected to be $143,000 at the end of 2015.
McCormick queried if it was typical to accumulate money to rebuild the dock. She asked if that is why the balance is significant.
Greenan said the money was not to rebuild the dock but to keep it upgraded. She said she did not know what the actual schedule for the Texada Island facility is.
Mike Wall, manager of community services, said upgrades to the Savary Island dock were in the neighbourhood of $400,000. The last upgrade was done in 2012. Decking was involved in that project and Wall said upgrades are expensive. The surplus helps offset the upgrade costs.
Greenan wanted to bring one other item to the committee. She said she believes the budget for public engagement on Lasqueti Island for this year has been spent but there is another $3,000 in the Lasqueti waste management budget for public engagement if it is required.
“We may have to draw from that as the public engagement process continues,” she said. “Anything beyond that you’d have to do a budget amendment.”
After the meeting, Greenan said the Lasqueti Island public engagement process has been to address the prospect of a 911 emergency service and house numbering, as well as to engage on upgrades to the recycling centre.
“As 911 and the associated house numbering are needed to provide emergency services, a budget of $5,000 was included in the Lasqueti Fire Department service,” Greenan said.
An allocation of $3,000 was included in the waste management Lasqueti budget to engage on the upgrades needed at the recycling centre. To date, $5,935 has been spent on public engagement on Lasqueti. If the regional district expects to exceed $8,000, a budget amendment by the regional board will be needed.
The committee carried a motion to receive the report.
