Here is a quick look at what's on the agenda for the Tue. April 2 Village of Pemberton (VOP) regular council meeting.
The meeting will take place at Council Chambers (7400 Prospect Street), beginning at 5:30 p.m.
2019 municipal-tax rates to receive readings one through three
The VOP will move one step closer to adopting the 2019 municipal tax rates at its April 2 meeting, when it will consider readings one through three of its 2019 municipal tax rate and sewer tax rates, as well as amendments to its water frontage tax and sewer frontage tax rates.
Council will also give readings one through three to its five-year financial plan bylaw.
As previously reported by Pique ("Pemberton accounts for Employer Health Tax in 2019 budget," March 18), VOP council has instructed staff to implement a 5.75 per cent municipal tax hike increase for 2019.
The additional revenue is going towards paying costs associated with the introduction of the Employer Health Tax (EHT) as well as a new "contingent liability" of $40,000 (money to be set aside in case of unforeseen future expenditures).
This year, there are no proposed tax increases for operations, capital projects, and general revenues.
Property and business owners in the VOP's industrial park have raised concerns about the proposed commercial tax rate ("Pemberton industrial park business owners raise concerns about municipal taxes," March 26). Their property assessments saw a dramatic hike in valuation this year.
Some of them are currently appealing BC Assessment's findings in the hopes of reducing the valuation of their properties.
Council is set to give fourth and final readings to the bylaws on Tuesday, May 7.
Housekeeping on comprehensive zoning bylaw
The VOP will also consider additional housekeeping measures on its recently passed comprehensive zoning bylaw (Bylaw no. 832, 2018), which was adopted in July 2018.
Council previously amended the bylaw in October after discovering some of the original information was not transferred over correctly from the previous iteration.
"Since the Zoning Bylaw was adopted in July 2018 and amended in October 2018, Staff has been monitoring minor inconsistencies, noting interpretation issues and making a list of suggested changes to improve, clarify and update existing regulation," reads the staff report on the proposed changes.
"It appears that in translating the information to the new Zoning Bylaw ... some information was inadvertently omitted or (is) erroneous."
The proposed alterations do not constitute significant changes, according to the report.
"All the proposed modifications are relatively minor and are therefore considered to be housekeeping in nature," it reads.
The changes involve various sections of the bylaw, and are largely aimed at clarifying meaning of specific regulations.
A full list of the proposed changes can be found in the in the agenda package: www.pemberton.ca/public/download/documents/82295
Requests for support for golf tournaments
Council will also provide direction on requests for financial support from two important community organizations: the Pemberton Red Devils Alumni Association and the Rotary Club of Pemberton.
Both groups are looking for financial support for upcoming golf tournaments.
The Red Devils Alumni Association is hosting its annual Day of the Devils fundraising event at Big Sky Golf Club and Pemberton Secondary School; the event is on Sat., April 27, with proceeds going to Pemberton Secondary School's athletics program.
The Rotary Club is hosting its annual golf tournament at Big Sky Golf Club on Friday, June 7 in association with the Pemberton and District Chamber of Commerce.
In a letter to council, Gail Talbot, a committee member with the alumni association, noted that participating in school sports can be expensive for families. "The combination of increased travel costs and a decline in government funding has created challenging financial situations for many of our students and their families," she wrote.
Event organizers are expecting a big night, she added: "We are hopeful that 300+ people will participate in the Golf Tournament, Casino Night, and Dinner/ Dance."
The committee that is organizing the Rotary Club of Pemberton golf tournament explained in a letter to council that its golf tournament is vital to their fundraising efforts. Rotary has a funding-sponsor system with the bronze level starting at $500 and going all the way to the platinum level at $5,000.
"This is our 14th annual event and funds from this tournament go to supporting initiatives and groups within our community," reads the letter. "It is our single largest fundraiser and very well attended."
Proceeds from this tournament will be divided between Rotary Club of Pemberton and Pemberton & District Chamber of Commerce, it adds.
