The 2015 budget has yet to be finalized, but Creston town council has approved nine “pre-budget expenditures” that will allow staff to get a jump on projects for the coming year.
The spending of nearly $300,000 that includes vehicle replacement, water and sewer projects and small renovations got the go-ahead at the Jan. 27 regular council meeting.
With the town working on a continually updated five-year financial planning model, there are fewer surprises and a clearer medium-term picture, financial director Steffan Klassen had told council in an earlier meeting.
All expenditures had been discussed at an earlier meeting of the committee of the whole.
Council Briefs
•Council received a verbal report about a Creston Fire Rescue strategic plan and directed fire Chief Mike Moore to address the plan in depth at an upcoming committee of the whole meeting.
•Creston RCMP Staff Sgt. Bob Gollan will present his report at an upcoming council meeting.
•Council voted to buy a $200 corporate membership in the Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History, which is putting its research online at www.basininstitute.org.
•Upgrades to the waste water treatment plant are reaping benefits to the town in the form of energy savings. Fortis BC has issued a rebate cheque for more than $26,240 after determining the value of various savings measures undertaken in the project.
•The Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Governments membership renewal cost of $1,200 was approved.
•A letter of complaint about utility charges for home-based business was received.
•A request for support about the District of Hudson’s Hope’s concerns about the proposed Site C dam project was received.
•Zoning amendments for the property at 801 Vancouver Street — the “bunker” — received first and second readings. The proposed development, which includes a craft distillery, will proceed to a public hearing process. The developer will be instructed to hold a public meeting for residents and property owners in the area.