2024 Statement of Financial Information Report
The Board approved the release of the 2024 Statement of Financial Information (SOFI) Report. In accordance with the Financial Information Act, the RDCK must make the SOFI available to the public each year. The purpose of the reporting is to ensure the transparency and accountability of the local government financial system. Click here to view the 2024 report.
Suzan Hewat re-elected to FCM Board of Directors
RDCK Director and Village of Kaslo Mayor, Suzan Hewat, was re-elected for a two-year term to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Board of Directors at the annual conference in Ottawa earlier this month. FCM is the national voice of local governments, provides municipal and regional district leaders with the opportunity to engage with national party leaders and representatives to shape the national agenda on policy issues that affect all municipalities and regional districts. Hewat has been Mayor of the Village of Kaslo since 2014 and was originally elected to the FCM Board of Directors in 2022.
Expansion of the Castlegar and District Community Complex
The Board authorized staff to prepare a service establishment bylaw and a borrowing bylaw for an expansion of the Castlegar and District Community Complex service within the City of Castlegar and Electoral Area J. During the Reimagining Recreation Service public engagement throughout 2024 and 2025, community members who participated from the City of Castlegar and Electoral Area J indicated they are more willing to support the expansion of the facility, while those who participated from Electoral Area I did not seem to support expansion. The community will have the final say on any expansion project, as elector assent will be sought via a referendum.
Read the final report on the Reimagining Recreation Service Evaluation in Castlegar.
RDCK will not donate land to Nelson CARES project
The Board will not donate the RDCK’s portion of land for the proposed Nelson CARES affordable housing project on 824 Front Street (next door to the Nelson & District Community Complex). Originally, the vacant lots at the corner of Cedar and Front Street, which included RDCK and City of Nelson owned land, were included in the Nelson CARES proposal. After much discussion and review of the Nelson Community Recreation Campus engagement project findings, it was determined public assent and further planning was needed to enter into an agreement to lease space for recreation purposes in the proposed affordable housing project. Due to the granting cycle, Nelson CARES Society needed a full commitment from the RDCK by July 2025 to make their application to the BC Housing’s Community Housing Fund as strong as possible. The monthly lease for the recreation space was expected to cost the RDCK between $20,000 to $25,000 for a period of 35 years. The Nelson Recreation Commission did not want to make this kind of commitment without further community input and planning to further understand the recreation portion of the project. At this time, it is expected Nelson CARES will proceed with their application, but without including the land from the RDCK or adding recreation space.
The RDCK will be keeping its portion of land for recreation use.
Compost Pilot Sales Program
Starting in July, the RDCK will begin selling Class A compost at the Central Transfer Station (Salmo) and Ootischenia Landfill. Class A compost meets regulatory standards for use on food gardens, for agriculture, landscaping, and any other soil amendment applications. It is created from the organic waste collected through the RDCK’s organics diversion program. The Board directed staff to undertake the Pilot Sales Plan in which Class A compost will be made available to the public on a first come, first serve basis at the two RDCK facilities. Sale dates will be advertised at all sites that collect organic waste and through the RDCK website and social media channels. For loads less than 1.5 cubic meters, the price will be $20/cubic meter, with a minimum charge of $5. For loads greater than 1.5 cubic meters the price will be $35/tonne.
The sale of Class A compost from Central Transfer Station (Salmo) and Ootischenia Landfill can provide revenue to offset the operational costs associated with the sale of compost, while providing a valuable product to residents, businesses, and partners for soil amendment needs. The intention with pilot sales of compost in 2025 is to only offset the costs of distributing the material.
Class A compost produced at the Creston Compost Facility will be donated to Creston Fields Forward for its own sale and distribution in 2025.
For more information: www.rdck.ca/organics.
Spearhead – Land Use Amendment
The Board adopted the land use bylaw amendment (Bylaw No. 3002) and zoning bylaw amendment (Bylaw No. 3003) application for Spearhead, a local wood products manufacturer based in Electoral Area F. The adoption of these two bylaws will amend the land use designation from residential to industrial and rezone the subject lands from country residential to comprehensive development. Spearhead is intending on constructing a large industrial building on three residential lots located along Highway 3A in Electoral Area F, which would allow them to manufacture glue-laminated wood products on site. The final two conditions, prior to adoption, were completed to the satisfactory of staff. Approval of the zoning bylaw amendment was received from the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, and a covenant has been prepared and placed on the title of the property that requires Spearhead to comply with recommendations of a professional environmental consultant before a building permit is issued.
Sponsorship Policy
The Board adopted the Community Services Sponsorship Policy. The standardized framework for corporate and non-profit sponsorship opportunities will supplement RDCK funding for its facilities, programs, and services. The RDCK will consider qualified businesses and organizations whose support aligns to the RDCK’s mission, values and priorities. The policy applies to events, special projects, programs, and services. Click here to read the new policy.
Director’s Reports
RDCK Directors provide monthly reports outlining what they have been working on. Click here to read the June 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.