Last Monday, the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako shared their 2013 budget with Village of Telkwa council.
Bill Miller, RDBN chair and Hans Berndorff stepped up to the table to share the fiscal highlights of the upcoming year for the region.
On the taxation front, taxation for region-wide services dropped to $3.95 million in 2013 from $4.02 million in 2012.
On the other hand, taxation revenues for regional rural services rose to $733.7 thousand from $593.6 thousand in 2012.
Nonetheless, taxation for region-wide and regional rural services remained relatively unchanged, rising to $4.685 in 2013 from $4.614 in 2012.
Overall, tax per $100,000 property assessment for region-wide services drops to $77.87 for 2013 from $87.26 in 2012.
This drop is in large part, explained Telkwa Mayor, Carman Graf, the result of increased tax revenue stemming from the opening of the Mount Milligan mine.
In terms of initiatives, the RDBN has $310,000 worth of proposed capital expenditures.
The bulk of the funds, $240,000 are directed at upgrades and equipment replacement at the Clearview and Knockholt landfill sites as well as the Vanderhoof and Smithers/Telkwa transfer stations.
The Smithers/Telkwa transfer station receives $30,000 for the installation of LED lighting.
The funds for this project are expected to come from Gas Tax funds collected in RDBN Electoral Region A.
A sandbag storage building is also proposed for the Smithers/Telkwa transfer station, but the go ahead is subject to receiving grant funding.
In terms of initiatives the RDBN is bringing forward for 2013, near the top of the list is a public survey concerning what residents want Electoral region A to contribute to the construction of the proposed second arena in Smithers.
Later this month or in April, the RDBN is planning an emergency stimulation exercise.
Village of Telkwa Councillor Rimas Zitkauskas wasn’t surprised by the capital expenditures or the proposed initiatives.
“I think the RDBN is trying to balance the needs of their main constituents, the people in the rural areas outside of the municipal boundaries, while addressing regional needs,” Zitkauskas said.