Trustees of the Hagensborg Water District held their regular monthly meeting July 27th with all trustees present.
Initiating the 2018 District Budgeting process, CFO Wes Abel presented an overview of the process, identifying a four-stage process: planning, budget model development, implementation and final approval, noting that the final budget must be submitted to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing no later than the end of October 2017.
Trustees will be attempting to begin the planning process sometime in August. As part of a brief discussion, trustees discussed a letter from a ratepayer regarding administrative costs and agreed that will be a part of the overall budgeting process for 2018.
Trustee Breffitt accepted the portfolio of the Fire Department completing the portfolio process and will work on and ad hoc committee with former trustees Mark Nelson and Diane Tuck to ensure the processes and policies requested by the Ministry are in place. Trustee Baillie remains in the communication portfolio, Trustee Matthews has oversight of the maintenance portfolio, Trustee Skelly hold the New Directions Research portfolio, and Chair O’Neill will continue with the financial oversight portfolio.
In light of the forest fire events of the summer with some ratepayers having to endure an additional financial burden being trapped outside of the valley, the Board decided to extend the deadline at which a financial penalty for non-payment is applied from August 31 to October 31st.Individuals directly affected in such a manner are asked to call (250) 982-2777 and leave a message for the CFO Wes Abel or CAO Joy Mackay or via email cfo@hwwdistrict.ca or cao@hwwdistrict.ca.
Due to the road closures and lack of the hoped for office supplies for the new CAO particularly the lack of the computer that was ordered, progress has been somewhat delayed on gathering info for a conversion to the CCRD study and creation of a tender for a maintenance position but those items are moving forward.
Trustees are still looking for additional information but agree that information presented in the past stating that firefighting cannot be done with chlorinated water was incorrect. Firefighting can be done with chlorinated water and trustees will continue to look for additional information on the matter.
Lastly on behalf of ratepayers, the Board of Trustees wishes to offer their deepest condolences to the Smart family on the passing of former CAO Rosemary Smart. Twice she served the ratepayers of the Hagensborg Water District as chief administrative officer. Her insight and dedication will be missed.