Non-profit groups and municipal committees are hoping for budgetary support to the tune of more than $4.2 million, though the bulk of that would be raised over a 10-year period.
At its Monday evening meeting, Salmon Arm received requests from the public for 2012 budget considerations.
The largest number, $7.5 million, was associated with a request from the city’s Downtown Parking Commission for a commitment from the city to construct, in 10 years’ time, a parkade at the Ross Street parking lot.
Speaking on the commission’s behalf, Bill Laird explained that $7.5 million is the total estimated cost. Four million of it would be funded, in part, through a levy paid by downtown businesses. Laird said the current specified levy would be increased by 2.5 per cent for 10 years. The remainder would come from increases over 10 years to the municipal levy paid by the greater community.
“We would like a $20,000 per year increase from the community at large, which again we feel is very modest, it’s about .02 per cent,” said Laird, noting both increases would stop at the end of the 10 years.
The rest would be borrowed, but that, Laird said, would be offset by the specified levy, and revenue generated through the monthly rental of 200 of the 346 stalls, at $50 a month per stall.
The Shuswap and District Arts Council and the Shuswap Art Gallery Association, to be amalgamated in January, are seeking $36,000 which includes a fee-for-service proposal. This relationship with the city would give the new body the ability to apply for grants from the Canada Council For the Arts and other sources.
RJ Haney Heritage Village and Museum asked for $12,000 to help remove the asbestos insulating Haney House.
The city’s Greenways Liaison Committee is seeking $150,000 to help with a comprehensive strategy to get greenways plans firmed up and ready for possible provincial government funding.
Bill Remphrey, on behalf of the organization WA:TER, asked that the city continue to support funding for sensitive habitat mapping and an ecosystem inventory, estimated at $80,000. The city committed $20,000 to the projects in 2011, and Remphrey said there’s $14,000 in community donations also committed.
Requests without presenters included $12,000 for the SCPA to help with operational costs, and $70,000 for a flood risk assessment of the Salmon River Delta.