City council is OK with Downtown Salmon Arm’s budget for 2016, but would like to see more input on the budget from its members.
Council had no issue with the downtown business organization’s finances as presented last week with the business improvement area budget for 2016 and Downtown Salmon Arm’s financial statements for 2015. But Couns. Chad Eliason and Louise Wallace Richmond did suggest to Downtown Salmon Arm manager Lindsay Wong that they’d like to see more feedback on the budget from the group’s membership.
“I know it’s a levy and you have a 10-year arrangement, but it’s still important to be able to evaluate from year to year,” commented Wallace Richmond.
Coun. Alan Harrison also commended Downtown Salmon Arm for their use of surplus funds on projects such as the proposed renovation of the breezeway that connects the Ross Street parking lot to Alexander Street.
“I know that you know that when you come to the city for money, it makes a difference to me on how much your balance is,” said Harrison. “That seems to me that would be a reasonable amount to have a surplus, $21,000. I’m satisfied with that. I wasn’t satisfied with $66,000. That was two years ago, so you’re working on it.”
Coun. Kevin Flynn, who represents the city on the Downtown Salmon Arm board, told Harrison he’s been commenting, “it’s great to have a reserve, but what’s reasonable and what’s needed for an operating reserve.”
“And I think you’re working towards that, and a lot of the major projects wouldn’t happen if they didn’t have the surplus,” said Flynn. “Now they have a major projects committee to determine how to bring that surplus down to a reasonable level and I think the projects that have been chosen are very good.”
Harrison noted it was very easy to say yes to the breezeway upgrade given Downtown Salmon Arm has the $20,000 to pay for it.