Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: May 06, 2011 1:00 AM
Municipal officials have been discussing issues of concern this week without Vernon at the table. No one from the city went to the Southern Interior Local Government Association conference, which began Wednesday and ends today in Merritt. “We didn’t have any issues we needed to bring up,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert. “We didn’t see the value in going this year.” In the past, Vernon has sent one or two council members to the annual event, which includes information sessions and a chance for politicians to consider common topics. “We’ve done the networking before and we know people,” said Lippert. “It’s easy to get together with others if we need to.” Delegates also consider resolutions on a variety of topics that are used to lobby senior government. Lumby has sent two representatives to SILGA, while there are three from Spallumcheen, three from the North Okanagan Regional District, three from Coldstream, one from Armstrong and six from Enderby. Lippert doesn’t believe Vernon’s absence indicates a lack of interest in SILGA. “We aren’t the only ones who don’t have representation there,” he said. The city will also save some money by not participating in the conference. Early-bird registration was $320 per person, while it was $360 after March 11. On top of that, there are hotels and travel. “Everyone is doing budgets and mindful of budgets so you have to decide where you want to spend your money,” said Lippert. “Going to Victoria to meet with provincial cabinet ministers or meeting with the valley mayors one-on-one is more effective.” SILGA includes municipalities and regional districts from the Okanagan, Similkameen, Shuswap, Thompson, Nicola and Columbia regions.
Showing posts with label SILGA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SILGA. Show all posts
Friday, May 06, 2011
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Vernon Resolutions At SILGA
Southern Interior Local Government Association Annual General Meeting – April 30 and May 1, 2009
TITLE (12): Tax Credit Program
SPONSOR: City of Vernon Moved/Seconded by Jack Gilroy/Mike Gavinchuk THAT:
WHEREAS the province announced that 50% of all school property taxes will be rebated to light and heavy industry (Class 4 and 5) annually, to lower their costs and help them grow; AND WHEREAS, business in Class 6 should also benefit from this program designed to assist business in paying their bills, reinvest and maintain jobs, especially in rural communities, without downloading any costs to municipalities:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Southern Interior Local Government Association encourages the Union of BC Municipalities to request the Province of British Columbia to extend the credit program for Class 4 and Class 5 properties to include Class 6 property. CARRIED
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TITLE (3): Revenue Sharing for Major Roads Intersecting with Provincial Highways
SPONSOR: City of Vernon Moved/Seconded by Mary Jo O’Keefe/Rick Fairbairn THAT:
WHEREAS the Province has previously had a revenue sharing program which assisted municipalities with improvement projects to major roadways intersecting provincial highways; AND WHEREAS the users of these major roadways are often regional in nature, and the municipality bears the full costs of maintaining these roadways:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial revenue sharing program be reinstated to assist municipalities with improvements to major roads that intersect the provincial highway system, including improvements related to capacity increases as well as pedestrian and cycling facilities associated with those roadways. CARRIED
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TITLE (4): Funding for the Transfer of Provincial Roads to Local Government
SPONSOR: City of Vernon Moved/Seconded by Jack Gilroy/Herman Halvorson THAT:
WHEREAS the “Municipal Boundary Extension Criteria” as published in September 2002 by the then Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services does not adequately provide for provincial cost sharing in non-controlled access highway roads that become a local government maintenance and replacement responsibility as a result of a boundary extension:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the “Municipal Boundary Extension Criteria” be amended so that the Province provides funds to cover 50% of the cost to upgrade the roadway to the local government standard, except for a controlled access highway, included in a municipal boundary extension.CARRIED
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TITLE (12): Tax Credit Program
SPONSOR: City of Vernon Moved/Seconded by Jack Gilroy/Mike Gavinchuk THAT:
WHEREAS the province announced that 50% of all school property taxes will be rebated to light and heavy industry (Class 4 and 5) annually, to lower their costs and help them grow; AND WHEREAS, business in Class 6 should also benefit from this program designed to assist business in paying their bills, reinvest and maintain jobs, especially in rural communities, without downloading any costs to municipalities:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Southern Interior Local Government Association encourages the Union of BC Municipalities to request the Province of British Columbia to extend the credit program for Class 4 and Class 5 properties to include Class 6 property. CARRIED
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TITLE (3): Revenue Sharing for Major Roads Intersecting with Provincial Highways
SPONSOR: City of Vernon Moved/Seconded by Mary Jo O’Keefe/Rick Fairbairn THAT:
WHEREAS the Province has previously had a revenue sharing program which assisted municipalities with improvement projects to major roadways intersecting provincial highways; AND WHEREAS the users of these major roadways are often regional in nature, and the municipality bears the full costs of maintaining these roadways:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial revenue sharing program be reinstated to assist municipalities with improvements to major roads that intersect the provincial highway system, including improvements related to capacity increases as well as pedestrian and cycling facilities associated with those roadways. CARRIED
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TITLE (4): Funding for the Transfer of Provincial Roads to Local Government
SPONSOR: City of Vernon Moved/Seconded by Jack Gilroy/Herman Halvorson THAT:
WHEREAS the “Municipal Boundary Extension Criteria” as published in September 2002 by the then Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services does not adequately provide for provincial cost sharing in non-controlled access highway roads that become a local government maintenance and replacement responsibility as a result of a boundary extension:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the “Municipal Boundary Extension Criteria” be amended so that the Province provides funds to cover 50% of the cost to upgrade the roadway to the local government standard, except for a controlled access highway, included in a municipal boundary extension.CARRIED
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Monday, December 15, 2008
Cache Creek councillor invited back to SILGA
Published: December 15, 2008 Ash- Cache Journal :
Cache Creek Councillor Ida Makaro has been re-appointed to the Board of Directors for the Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) to fill one of the vacancies created following the recent municipal elections. Makaro is a life member who served on the executive of SILGA (formerly known as the Okanagan Mainline Municipal Association, OMMA) for the past 10 years, as president from 2000 to 2002 and as then as past president and nomination committee chair until May of last year. SILGA, whose membership is comprised of municipalities and regional governments of the South, Central and North Okanagan from Osoyoos to Revelstoke, including Kamloops and the local governments within the Gold Country area, is one of six area associations under the wing of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM).
There were six vacancies created after the recent civic elections (Nov. 15) on the 11 member board of SILGA, two of which were by directors who did not seek office in the election and the other four were failed candidates. One of the positions vacated was that of president which had been filled by former Ashcroft councillor, Jackie Tegart and is now filled by Coun. Kevin Flynn of Salmon Arm. In addition to Makaro, the other five who were selected to serve until the AGM is held in Osoyoos in late April 2009, includes Mayor Wayne Lippert of Vernon, Coun. Ryan Nitchie of Armstrong, Coun. Bert Walker of Clearwater, Coun. Brian Given of Kelowna and Mayor Stu Wells of Osoyoos. The remaining incumbent board members include Coun. Pat Wallace of Kamloops, Coun. Harry Kroeker of Merritt, Coun. Noreen Guenther of Lake Country and past president, Director Rhona Martin of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District.
The newly formed executive will be meeting in Kamloops on Jan. 14, 2009.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Traffic fines swell City coffers. City understimates by $177,365 (44%) in 2008 budget !
by Wayne Moore May 3 CASTANET
Southern Interior municipalities have raked in a record $4.3 million in traffic fine revenue this year. The funds help to enhance policing and community based public safety programs. Revenues from
traffic fines allow municipalities to explore a wide range of projects, including outreach services for youth, Aboriginal policing, traffic safety programs and methamphetamine awareness programs. "This increased funding has also allowed municipalities to hire 560 new police officers," says Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, John van Dongen.
The breakdown of traffic fine revenues for interior communities includes:
May 03 Don Quixote Note: On April 12 I posted and on Apr. 14 I submitted in writing at the public input the information about the underestimation of fine revenue: Agenda Package - 9.93MB
Summary and responses to the public input session:Tax Increase P.203. P.36-39 of above agenda package is my original input.:
In the 2007 budget the anticipated fine revenue for acct 216200000 Prov. Govt Revenue Sharing Grant was $394,740.
The actual amount received was $495,253 an unexpected windfall of $100,513.
The 2008 budget has been set at $402,635 which is 2% above last years budget and $92,618 below what we received last year.
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The response to my original questions citing other underestimations of revenue and overestimations of expenses was the answer by the CFO:
Mr. Spiers has requested a zero percent increase in taxes. In support of this position he has cited a number of individual items contained within the Financial Plan where he feels there is room for a reduction in expenses or an increase in revenues.
ANSWER: Planned moderate increases in taxation to fund service expansion and cost inflation reflect the real cost pressures and initiatives undertaken by the City.
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As it turns out the revenue that we will actually receive is $580,000 which is $177,365 more than we budgeted for. This is a miss by 44%.
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On April 23rd I sent an e-mail to Anne.(NameWithheld)@gov.bc.ca :
I have seen the publication of the 2008 fine revenue for the Coastal region and the Kootenays so far. Can you advise when we will see the North Okanagan figures.Especially interested in Vernon and Coldstream for budget purposes. Thanks in advance for your help. (End of Message)
The person was the liaison officer named in one of the already named press releases. She did not reply to me knowing full well that the beloved leader Ida Chong would make this news release at the end of the SILGA convention. In this day of cooperation between the municipalities and the province you would have anticipated that the province would have informed municipal treasurers of any large increase so they can present a realistic budget.
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Well it is still before the final vote on the budget on April 12 and this large error of $$177,365 can still be used to adjust our tax increase down by at least 1%. This would cut the announced tax increase (excluding fire) from 2.04% in half. This would also cut the real business tax increase in half. This must be put on the finance committee meeting of Thursday May 8 so the CFO can make these adjustments in preparation for Monday.
Southern Interior municipalities have raked in a record $4.3 million in traffic fine revenue this year. The funds help to enhance policing and community based public safety programs. Revenues from
traffic fines allow municipalities to explore a wide range of projects, including outreach services for youth, Aboriginal policing, traffic safety programs and methamphetamine awareness programs. "This increased funding has also allowed municipalities to hire 560 new police officers," says Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, John van Dongen.The breakdown of traffic fine revenues for interior communities includes:
- Vernon - $580,000
- Coldstream - $52,000
May 03 Don Quixote Note: On April 12 I posted and on Apr. 14 I submitted in writing at the public input the information about the underestimation of fine revenue: Agenda Package - 9.93MB
Summary and responses to the public input session:Tax Increase P.203. P.36-39 of above agenda package is my original input.:
In the 2007 budget the anticipated fine revenue for acct 216200000 Prov. Govt Revenue Sharing Grant was $394,740.
The actual amount received was $495,253 an unexpected windfall of $100,513.
The 2008 budget has been set at $402,635 which is 2% above last years budget and $92,618 below what we received last year.
---------------------
The response to my original questions citing other underestimations of revenue and overestimations of expenses was the answer by the CFO:
Mr. Spiers has requested a zero percent increase in taxes. In support of this position he has cited a number of individual items contained within the Financial Plan where he feels there is room for a reduction in expenses or an increase in revenues.
ANSWER: Planned moderate increases in taxation to fund service expansion and cost inflation reflect the real cost pressures and initiatives undertaken by the City.
----------------
As it turns out the revenue that we will actually receive is $580,000 which is $177,365 more than we budgeted for. This is a miss by 44%.
------------------------
On April 23rd I sent an e-mail to Anne.(NameWithheld)@gov.bc.ca :
I have seen the publication of the 2008 fine revenue for the Coastal region and the Kootenays so far. Can you advise when we will see the North Okanagan figures.Especially interested in Vernon and Coldstream for budget purposes. Thanks in advance for your help. (End of Message)
The person was the liaison officer named in one of the already named press releases. She did not reply to me knowing full well that the beloved leader Ida Chong would make this news release at the end of the SILGA convention. In this day of cooperation between the municipalities and the province you would have anticipated that the province would have informed municipal treasurers of any large increase so they can present a realistic budget.
--------------------
Well it is still before the final vote on the budget on April 12 and this large error of $$177,365 can still be used to adjust our tax increase down by at least 1%. This would cut the announced tax increase (excluding fire) from 2.04% in half. This would also cut the real business tax increase in half. This must be put on the finance committee meeting of Thursday May 8 so the CFO can make these adjustments in preparation for Monday.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Mayors deny ulterior motive
The mayors of the Okanagan's four biggest cities deny they're trying to bypass the valley governance report. Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton and Westside's elected reps have announced plans for a formal collaboration to deal with issues affecting the entire valley. Speaking at the SILGA convention in Vernon, Westside mayor Rosalind Neis says the partnership is not about the governance issue She tells KISS FM, "They've done their work. They had a lot of work put into that and that was started before the District of Westside was even incorporated, so this is just a way of the four municipalities working together on initiatives that are common to all of us." Vernon mayor Wayne Lippert also denies it's an attempt to over-ride the valley governance study that's currently before the province. "By no means. This isn't a governance issue. This is the four communities getting together to formally agree to work together and share ideas and best practices." The governance study, which was compiled from input over a six month period, has been criticized by the mayors for not giving enough consideration to the needs of the larger municipalities.
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Vernon is local politician central
Vernon has been hosting more than a hundred municipal politicians the past few days. It's for the annual convention of the Southern Interior Local Government Association. Mayor Wayne Lippert says the focus has not just been on meetings but showing the delegates the local attractions. "It gives them a chance to network and do some business but it's also good to get people in here, showcase the area, and show them what we've got."NDP leader Carole James spoke to the delegates on Friday morning, while Community Services Minister Ida Chong was on hand in the afternoon.
Cities investigate historic partnership
CASTANET: May 2
At a meeting during this week’s Southern Interior Local Government Association annual convention in Vernon, the mayors of the four largest Okanagan municipalities instructed senior staff to draft a bylaw that would facilitate inter-municipal collaboration on pressing issues impacting the entire Okanagan Valley. This is a concept that has been considered in the past but due to the complexity and cost in providing municipal services to our citizens this concept and the implementation thereof has become more compelling. The provincial government’s Climate Action plan initiative prompted the Mayors to determine the most cost effective way to accomplish these objectives was through cooperation. The Mayors recognized that a cooperative approach also applies to affordable housing, sustainability, economic development, water and air quality and transit – some of the major issues impacting all four jurisdictions – and cooperation will result in efficient action and a potential savings to taxpayers.
The Mayors have instructed their respective chief administrative officers to begin work on a mechanism that would result in an action-oriented, transparent and ‘ultra-light’ approach – one that makes use of existing resources rather than creating another level of bureaucracy and an additional burden for taxpayers. The four chief administrative officers were instructed to identify how their jurisdictions and the Valley as a whole would benefit from this type of collaboration and to present their findings to the mayors’ committee. A collaborative approach would allow the four municipalities – as well as any other local governments interested in participating – to partner for funding opportunities, share ideas and resources and, as a result, avoid the cost and time delays associated with “recreating the wheel” since cities facing similar pressures will likely be required to deal with them in similar ways. Additionally, the inter-municipal services initiative would enable municipalities within the Okanagan Valley to “harmonize” their regulations, creating continuity, a level playing field and a cohesive approach that helps communities avoid developing regulations that simply shift a problem from one jurisdiction to another. Examples could include bylaws related to drug houses, hillside development regulations, business licensing, and building regulations. The initiative would also allow for inter-municipal services such as transit.
An Inter-Municipal Service and Regulation Bylaw that would give the cities of Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon and Westside the authority under the Community Charter or Local Government Act to work together to provide inter-municipal services, address environmental and other issues of mutual concern, and harmonize their regulations will be developed. Later this month the four mayors will take this bylaw to their respective councils for consideration and approval in principal.
At a meeting during this week’s Southern Interior Local Government Association annual convention in Vernon, the mayors of the four largest Okanagan municipalities instructed senior staff to draft a bylaw that would facilitate inter-municipal collaboration on pressing issues impacting the entire Okanagan Valley. This is a concept that has been considered in the past but due to the complexity and cost in providing municipal services to our citizens this concept and the implementation thereof has become more compelling. The provincial government’s Climate Action plan initiative prompted the Mayors to determine the most cost effective way to accomplish these objectives was through cooperation. The Mayors recognized that a cooperative approach also applies to affordable housing, sustainability, economic development, water and air quality and transit – some of the major issues impacting all four jurisdictions – and cooperation will result in efficient action and a potential savings to taxpayers.
The Mayors have instructed their respective chief administrative officers to begin work on a mechanism that would result in an action-oriented, transparent and ‘ultra-light’ approach – one that makes use of existing resources rather than creating another level of bureaucracy and an additional burden for taxpayers. The four chief administrative officers were instructed to identify how their jurisdictions and the Valley as a whole would benefit from this type of collaboration and to present their findings to the mayors’ committee. A collaborative approach would allow the four municipalities – as well as any other local governments interested in participating – to partner for funding opportunities, share ideas and resources and, as a result, avoid the cost and time delays associated with “recreating the wheel” since cities facing similar pressures will likely be required to deal with them in similar ways. Additionally, the inter-municipal services initiative would enable municipalities within the Okanagan Valley to “harmonize” their regulations, creating continuity, a level playing field and a cohesive approach that helps communities avoid developing regulations that simply shift a problem from one jurisdiction to another. Examples could include bylaws related to drug houses, hillside development regulations, business licensing, and building regulations. The initiative would also allow for inter-municipal services such as transit.
An Inter-Municipal Service and Regulation Bylaw that would give the cities of Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon and Westside the authority under the Community Charter or Local Government Act to work together to provide inter-municipal services, address environmental and other issues of mutual concern, and harmonize their regulations will be developed. Later this month the four mayors will take this bylaw to their respective councils for consideration and approval in principal.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Vernon hosts annual meeting
By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - April 30, 2008
Vernon will play host to municipal politicians from across the Interior this week. The Southern Interior Local Government Association’s annual convention starts today and runs until Friday at the Prestige Inn. It will attract about 160 delegates, and Mayor Wayne Lippert believes the economic benefit to the community will be noticeable. “We will have a few hotel rooms taken up for a couple of nights and the delegates can explore Vernon,” he said. SILGA is made up of elected officials from cities, towns, villages and regional districts throughout the Southern Interior. The members range from Clinton and Ashcroft to Princeton and Osoyoos, as well as all of the communities in the North Okanagan. It was announced in spring 2007 that Vernon would host the SILGA convention, and considerable planning has occurred since then. “A lot of work has gone into this,” said Marg Bailey, the city’s deputy chief administrative officer.
Assistance has come from surrounding communities such as Coldstream and Spallumcheen. Delegates begin arriving in town today, with the agenda including a golf tournament and a reception. Delegates get down to business Thursday with the opening ceremonies at 8:30 a.m., followed by a number of presentations and sessions. Among those speaking Thursday will be Terry Pakenham and Annette Sharkey on Vernon’s Partners for a Safe and Healthy Community program. On Thursday afternoon, delegates will consider a number of resolutions. But Lippert is most excited about the guest speakers Friday and the range of topics they will cover. “There will be discussions on carbon neutral legislation and affordable housing,” he said. Friday’s speakers include City of Vernon planner Kim Flick, MLA Tom Christensen, NDP leader Carole James and Ida Chong, community services minister.
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