2025-2029 Draft Financial Plan
The current draft of this year’s financial plan is showing an average taxation increase of 6.5%, although actual changes vary widely based on property location. For example, the RDCK portion of Village of Slocan taxes are projected to decrease by 1.8%, while Electoral Area D is showing a 14% increase. Further changes to the Financial Plan are expected as there are ongoing budget reviews and discussions with Directors, staff, and at the committee level, as well as public engagement budget meetings throughout the region.
The budget process will conclude at the March 20Open Board Meeting where Directors will have a final opportunity to discuss, modify, and consider adoption of the budget.
Establishment of Local Conservation Fund Committee
The Board adopted Bylaw 2975: Local Conservation Fund Committee to establish a formal committee to review the proposed projects for local conservation funding. The establishment of the committee formalizes a practice previously conducted by those RDCK Directors whose Electoral Areas participate in the Local Conservation Service. Creating an official committee structure improves consistency with other RDCK service governance, ensuring proper public notice of meetings and opportunity for the public to attend.
Originally established in 2014, the Local Conservation Fund is collected in Electoral Areas A, D, E, F, and H. It provides funding for projects that benefit conservation in the rural areas around Kootenay Lake and the Slocan Valley. The fund is financed by an annual parcel tax of $15 in each of the participating Electoral Areas and applies to all parcels in the service area. Since 2016 the fund has distributed over $700,000 towards local conservation projects.
Community Readiness Partnership
The Board approved the RDCK enter into a two-year contribution agreement with Columbia Basin Trust to augment rural emergency management mitigation and preparedness capacity. The intent of the Community Readiness Partnership is to address gaps in funding initiatives that strengthen emergency preparedness, increase regional collaboration, and improve response capabilities in rural communities. Over the two years, the RDCK will receive $230,000 in funding which will go towards equipment purchases (vehicles, generators, trailer), training, extending the reach of existing community-based outreach initiatives such as the Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Plans, and renovations or improvements to emergency operation centres.
Inland Ferry Services Resolution
The Board Submitted a resolution regarding inland ferry services for consideration at the 2025 Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Governments (AKBLG) annual general meeting. Each year regional districts can submit resolutions to the AKBLG meeting for consideration, discussion and voting on by membership. The narrowed list will be presented to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) and ultimately sent to the Legislative Assembly of BC for consideration by the provincial legislature.
The resolution put forward by the Board calls for the Province of BC to recognize that all ferry services within the province are necessary to the health, safety, and welfare of all the residents and should be considered when predetermining minimum inland ferry service levels on a site by site basis, and that the UBCM work with the affected areas and the Provincial Government to find a solution to ensure that rights of all British Columbia residents are protected equally on the Coast and the Interior of British Columbia.
Sue Big Oil resolution defeated
The Board voted against joining the Sue Big Oil class action lawsuit. Of the 20 Board of Directors, 16 opposed the motion. Sue Big Oil asks local governments to allocate at least $1 per resident, with the goal of raising $500,000 to get a class action lawsuit certified. During a lengthy conversation, the majority of Directors agreed they could not support taking a dollar from people who are not voluntarily signing up for a lawsuit.
Director’s Reports
RDCK Directors provide monthly reports outlining what they have been working on. Click here to read the February reports in the Board minutes.
RDCK Quarterly Report
For the latest RDCK Quarterly Report, which details the current projects and initiatives of the RDCK, please follow the link.