Chartered professional accountant Erin Carr of Carr and Medlang presented the Town of Creston’s 2015 financial statement to Creston town council at the May 10 regular meeting, noting that everything appeared to be in order.
“Much of it is consistent with prior years,” she said.
The annual audit included evaluation of internal controls, significant accounting principles and unusual transactions, none of which raised any red flags.
“There are no deficiencies I feel need to be brought forward,” she said.
Council Briefs
•The town will not be donating to the Red Cross to assist victims of the wildfire that recently devastated Fort McMurray, Alta. A letter from acting Vancouver mayor and Federation of Canadian Municipalities president Raymond Louie asked for the municipal sector to join the Alberta and federal governments in making a donation.
“I don’t feel it’s the appropriate use of taxpayer funds,” said Coun. Jim Elford, who encouraged councillors to make personal donations.
•An encroachment agreement was approved for Morris Flowers, which plans to construct a timber frame awning in front of the 1020 Canyon St. store.
The awning will project about three feet along the length of the facade, improving esthetics and allowing flower baskets to be hung.
•Council unanimously adopted the fees and charges bylaw amendment. Council also adopted the tax rates bylaw, with only Coun. Kevin Boehmer opposed.
•At the request of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training Minister Shirley Bond, Mayor Ron Toyota and Couns. Elford, Karen Unruh and Joanna Wilson will celebrate Tourism Week (May 29-June 4) by becoming town ambassadors for a day. On May 30, the four will take shifts at the Visitor Centre run by the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce, where they will greet visitors.
“This initiative is part of a concerted effort to showcase local tourism products and experiences, and demonstrate that tourism matters to residents in communities across the province,” said Bond in a letter.
•Construction has started on the upgraded Arrow Creek main water line, and is expected to run through Sept. 24.
•In his monthly report to council, Creston Fire Rescue Chief Mike Moore said the department responded to 47 emergency incidents in April: two false alarms, 28 first responder, four wild land/interface fires, seven motor vehicle incidents, one vehicle fire and five open burning calls. Those bring the 2016 total to 155 incidents.
Moore added that Creston’s work experience program is paying off. Two firefighters from the 2014-15 program, Jordan Show and Armin Behman, and one from 2015-16, Ashley Lewis, are now employed full-time with Vancouver Fire Rescue. Lewis’s position in the program has been filled by local firefighter Cory Fleck, whom Moore introduced to council.