-
1 week ago | 
mygrandforksnow.com | Bill Kingston
Grand Fork’s budget should be finalized by next month. In less than two minutes from start to finish, city council held a special meeting Wednesday (April 16) to approve the first three readings of the annual tax rates bylaw. The special meeting allows council to give its final seal of approval May 5 to the budget ahead of the May 15 deadline in the B.C. Community Charter.
-
2 weeks ago | 
mycoastnow.com | Bill Kingston
The days of the public being able to record inside Nanaimo City Council chambers are essentially over. The council passed changes to its procedural bylaw last night (April 7) outlawing any recordings in the chambers seen as intimidation of staff. The final vote was 7-2 with Councillor Hilary Eastmure and Councillor Sheryl Armstrong against. Much like Parliament and courts, Councillor Tyler Brown said conduct needs to be addressed.
-
3 weeks ago | 
mycoastnow.com | Bill Kingston
Home Authors Posts by Bill Kingston
-
3 weeks ago | 
mypowellrivernow.com | Bill Kingston
Powell River businesses won’t be getting a break on their property taxes this year. The city council looked at reducing the amount businesses pay from 3.7 times the residential rate to just 3. It would have meant a 17 per cent reduction in taxes for businesses and utilities, since the rate for utilities is tied to the business class. But all other property classes, including residential, would pay 3 per cent more.
-
3 weeks ago | 
mypowellrivernow.com | Bill Kingston
Powell River will look at options on how to help the homeless community during extreme hot and cold weather events. It comes after the qathet Coalition to End Homelessness detailed its work over winter to fill the gap left by the closure of the Joyce Avenue shelter. “Since the closure of the shelter, with support from community members and volunteers, the coalition has been supporting people with supplies, resources and a daily meal, who find themselves living rough.
-
1 month ago | 
mygrandforksnow.com | Bill Kingston
Grand Forks has changed its mind on funding the Grand Forks and District Aquatic Center. City council originally turned down a request from the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary for a 25 per cent increase to the spending limit. But council reversed its decision during a special meeting Friday (March 21). The change came after assurances from RDKB CEO Mark Andison the city would still have control of the budget. “It’s not locking anyone into any budget increases.
-
1 month ago | 
mygrandforksnow.com | Bill Kingston
A request for an extra 25 per cent to operate the Grand Forks Aquatic Center is not sitting well with city council. It turned down the ask this week (March 17) to give the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary the authority to spend up to nearly $977,000 a year to operate the facility. The RDKB was previously authorized to spend up to $781,250. Councillor Rod Zielinski says there needs to be conversation with the RDKB.
-
1 month ago | 
mygrandforksnow.com | Bill Kingston
Grand Forks will likely be shielded from American tariffs when it comes to electrical upgrades in Valley Heights. Capital Projects Director Ben Stevens thanked council Monday for giving staff the authority to buy $350,000 in supplies before the budget is passed“We’ve got purchase orders cut, orders placed for sort of six or seven different types of materials and generally things are coming in under what we expected. So far pricing is looking very favourable as are delivery times,” Stevens said.
-
1 month ago | 
mygrandforksnow.com | Bill Kingston
Grand Forks will likely be shielded from American tariffs when it comes to electrical upgrades in Valley Heights. Capital Projects Director Ben Stevens thanked council Monday for giving staff the authority to buy $350,000 in supplies before the budget is passed“We’ve got purchase orders cut, orders placed for sort of six or seven different types of materials and generally things are coming in under what we expected. So far pricing is looking very favourable as are delivery times,” Stevens said.
-
1 month ago | 
mygrandforksnow.com | Bill Kingston
A temporary overnight homeless shelter in Grand Forks will be running for another two years. City council approved the temporary use permit this morning (March 3) for the 15-bed shelter in the former Hardy View Lodge on 78th Avenue through March 2027. BC Housing will have to provide monthly updates on finding a permanent location. Councillor Zak Eburne-Stoodley explains what council is looking for in those reports. “My vision would be the reports that we get from staff on all the capital projects.
