Council grants mission funds

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: October 12, 2012 1:00 AM
A Vernon non-profit is getting help from taxpayers, but there may be a limit to their generosity. Council will provide $4,885 so the Regional District of North Okanagan can cover a $9,200 grant to the Upper Room Mission. Coun. Catherine Lord supported the funds, but admits she has mixed views about the matter. “We already give them a property tax exemption in the order of $4,400. At what point do we draw the line in funding organizations?” she said. “It’s a question of how much taxpayers can support? All non-profits are hurting and government grants have dried up but our taxpayers are hurting too.” The Upper Room Mission wants the fee waived for a water main upgrade to its facility, which provides meals and programs to people in need. Individual jurisdictions are being asked to provide funds because RDNO does not have the ability to provide grants. “This (water) line was imposed on them,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham, who hopes the region will pull together and cover the cost of the fee. “It’s not just Vernon residents that take advantage of the mission.”