At Monday's Regional District of Central Kootenay local services committee meeting, Pet Adoption and Welfare Society treasurer Lynn Ray presented a report and requested that directors consider providing ongoing funding for an organization “that is a victim of its own success.”
Relying on grants, donations and fundraising takes a lot of energy out of the volunteers, she said, and the many services PAWS provides are of direct benefit to local taxpayers.
“We need sustainable funding,” she said. “Without it we could need to start charging fees for services.”
Directors acknowledged the value of the work PAWS does and promised to explore ways of helping to fund services.
“We need to step up to the plate,” said committee chair and Area C director Larry Binks. “We can’t just keep asking you to do this for free.”
Committee Briefs
•RDCK staff were directed to explore the feasibility of moving building inspection and emergency preparedness staff offices to the community complex from the library building.
“Let’s let these departments tell us what they need,” said said Area B director John Kettle.
Kettle and Joe Chirico, RDCK general manager of community services, got into a brief discussion about whether the emergency operations centre should also be moved to the complex from town hall. Binks put a stop to the conversation when it was revealed the discussion was referring to a report to the RDCK that was not made public.
“If the information can’t be released then it shouldn’t be brought up at a meeting,” he said.
•A draft bylaw that will make the Creston Valley local services committee an official arm of the RDCK is expected to be ready for February’s meeting.
•Staff were directed to get a report on necessary upgrades to Rotacrest Hall.