Salmon Arm’s participation in the Communities in Bloom program has died on the vine.
At its budget deliberation day on Monday, council decided to bow out of the program in 2017 and keep its $11,000.
Communities in Bloom’s stated commitment is “fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement and the challenge of a national program, with focus on the enhancement of green spaces in communities.”
Salmon Arm paid $5,500 in the 2016 budget for its participation. Communities in Bloom has recognized the work of city staff and gave Salmon Arm the top provincial ‘five bloom’ award in both 2015 and 2016. However, the city is not permitted to compete again provincially and would have to move to the national level in 2017 – at a cost of $11,000.
The majority of council agreed the money could be better spent, given the price tag covers a provincial and a national fee, as well as airfare and accommodation for judges.
While council expressed appreciation for all the beautiful flowers, staff assured the same work would be done downtown without the contest – that the budget for flowers and beautification isn’t changing.
Coun. Alan Harrison asked parks supervisor Jason Chernoff how important the program is to staff.
“To me, it’s really important. I’ve had a lot of experience with Communities in Bloom in the past, and staff bought into it. I also think the national level is a little bit too high to go,” he said, adding he thinks it would be possible to participate nationally in the future.
Couns. Ken Jamieson and Chad Eliason were alone in voting against eliminating the program budget. Eliason suggested $5,500 instead of $11,000, stating the funds would show council appreciates the work of staff.
In 2016, according to its website, 22 municipalities participated in Communities in Bloom, 14 per cent of the 162 in B.C.