š° Protecting Your Tax Dollars
When the City of Rossland does work for outside organizations or private property owners, should you pay for it through your taxes?
Council is reviewing a policy update to ensure 100% cost recovery from third parties - meaning external work doesn't come out of your pocket.
š Council Meeting: September 15th
šļø City crews sometimes do work for external organizations or private property owners
šµ Current policy ensures the city recovers 100% of costs (labor, equipment, materials, admin)
š All third-party work goes through department heads for approval and documentation
š« Prevents taxpayers from subsidizing services to outside parties
š Revenue from this policy is described as "marginal at best" but principle matters
š Policy Update Details
What's Changing: Staff want to add a new provision (item 1d) to strengthen the Third Party Charges Policy (AD-27).
How It Works: ā¢ Department heads schedule and approve all external work ā¢ Finance invoices third parties for full cost recovery ā¢ Covers work outside normal city operations
Staff Recommendation: Approve the policy amendments to ensure robust cost recovery
Should the city strengthen its policy to ensure 100% cost recovery when doing work for external parties?
š Next Steps & How to Participate
Council Meeting: Monday, September 15th, 2025
Your Voice Matters: ā¢ Attend the council meeting to hear discussion ā¢ Contact councillors with your thoughts ā¢ This policy protects your tax dollars
Alternative: Council could refer back to staff for more changes.
š¢ Stay informed about your community decisions!