At the July 26 qathet Regional District (qRD) board meeting, the regional board approved a public engagement process to improve transparency in the annual development of the budget and five-year financial plan.
According to a qRD media release, every year, qRD develops a five-year financial plan to fund services and programs now and in the future. The financial plan is informed by the strategic plan, electoral area official community plans, work plans, plus input from advisory committees, directors and staff, and feedback from community groups and members of the public. The regional district’s financial planning processes are designed to provide funding to operate each service, while also reducing the risk of significant fluctuations in taxation levels from year-to-year, the release stated.
“Regional districts, unlike municipalities, do not have a single tax rate,” stated manager of financial services Linda Greenan. “The qRD provides more than 40 individual services throughout the region. These distinct services are paid for by different formations of taxpayers. Each service has its own budget, and all assets, income, expenses, reserves, surpluses and deficits are kept within that service.”
“As taxpayers, we can see the qRD’s financial plan at work every day,” stated regional board chair Clay Brander. “While the services we offer differ depending on the area you live in, be it the city [of Powell River] or one of our five electoral areas, your tax dollars contribute to your and your neighbour’s everyday needs. These can range from solid waste management, fire protection services, regional park maintenance and in select areas, the provision of quality drinking water and sewer services. This is why it is so important to share your feedback on the financial planning process.”
The release stated qRD is seeking community feedback on the financial planning process to better understand how communication might be improved. The public is invited to share comments by responding to a short survey from August 1 to September 30, both online and in hard copy. Paper versions will be available at the qRD main office, located at 202-4675 Marine Avenue, upon request. To access the survey, go to qathet.ca/2024-budget.
The public is encouraged to attend any of the coming budget meetings to ask questions about the 2024 budget and five-year financial plan. A detailed timeline of coming budget meetings and information about the proposed 2024 to 2028 financial plan are available at qathet.ca/2024-budget.
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