With limits on money, some people don’t get what they want.
Such is the way of ‘specific referrals,’ the direct requests from individuals and organizations the city gets at budget time.
Related link: Minimal increase in city budget
In the 2018 budget, some of the winners are:
• the Roots & Blues Festival will get a $50,000 operational grant along with $14,030 for the fairgrounds maintenance budget. Council discussed the need to come up with a more long-term funding agreement.
• $10,000 is allocated for winter access to the foreshore latrine along the foreshore trail. “To my mind this is the most important washroom in the city,” said Coun. Alan Harrison. “I do run there a lot, and having a goal makes me run faster.”
• $10,000 out of a requested and approximate $262,000 is going to the Salmon Arm and Shuswap Lake Agricultural Association towards a permanent power supply on the fairgrounds. The bulk of the requests were for upgrades to the indoor arena as well as power service to kiosks on the fairgrounds.
• $17,500 will go towards a shelter between the two ball diamonds at Alain Boucher Memorial Playground, to protect children from stray baseballs.
• $12,000 is allocated for an operational grant for the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
• $8,000 will go towards a rainbow crosswalk, a symbol of greater acceptance and rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, as requested by council. Coun. Tim Lavery suggested combining it with the revitalization of Hudson Avenue to save money, to which council agreed. The location is still to be determined.
• $25,000 is allocated in 2018 and ‘19 to the new Innovation Centre in the city.
Harrison, who often leads the budget discussions and deliberations, was hesitant to provide $25,000 for both years without more information. He changed his mind when Coun. Louise Wallace Richmond noted there’s been a rigorous process with a feasibility study and a business plan.
@SalmonArm
marthawickett@saobserver.net
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