#finance
How should Rossland manage taxpayer reserves?
🏛️ Council is updating the city's financial reserve policy
This policy determines how much money the city keeps in different savings accounts for emergencies, infrastructure repairs, and future projects. The updated rules will guide how your tax dollars are managed and saved for years to come.
💰 Municipal reserves are like the city's savings accounts for specific purposes
🚨 Emergency reserves help avoid tax spikes during unexpected crises or repairs
🏗️ Infrastructure reserves fund major projects like road repairs and facility upgrades
📊 Policy sets minimum balance targets to ensure long-term financial stability
🎯 Updated policy reflects current operational needs and 2024 financial position
📋 Reserve balance targets updated based on December 2024 audited financials
🔧 Policy language clarified to better define reserve purposes and usage
🌱 New emphasis on climate action and renewable energy commitments
💼 Asset management planning integrated into reserve strategy
⚖️ All changes maintain compliance with provincial legislation requirements
How should the city balance financial reserves?
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📅 Council Meeting: Monday, October 20, 2025 Location: Rossland Council Chambers - 1920 Third Avenue
The meeting will be held immediately following the Public Hearing.
🏛️ Council Shaping Rossland's Next 5 Years
Your city council is reviewing the 2026-2030 Five Year Financial Plan for major infrastructure and capital projects. These decisions will determine how millions in tax dollars are spent on roads, buildings, parks, and essential services over the next half-decade.
🏗️ Infrastructure and capital projects over five years
🏢 Municipal facility and equipment needs
💰 Long-term financial planning and budget priorities
📅 Multi-year spending commitments and debt planning
🏛️ Community infrastructure investment decisions
💰 Municipal budget and tax rate implications
🏛️ Infrastructure maintenance and upgrades
📈 Long-term financial sustainability decisions
What are your thoughts on the capital budget planning process?
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Council Meeting: October 20, 2025 immediately following the Public Hearing at Rossland Council Chambers (1920 Third Avenue).
This is a preview discussion where Council will provide staff with further direction on the 2026-2030 Five Year Financial Plan. This represents an early stage in the capital budget planning process.
🔍 Who's Checking Rossland's Books?
Council is considering awarding a 2025-2027 annual financial audit services contract to MNP LLP. This decision affects how the city's financial records will be professionally reviewed.
📋 Council must award a financial statement audit services contract
📅 Contract covers annual services for 2025-2027
🏢 MNP LLP has been recommended for the contract
📜 Contract involves financial statement audit services
📁 Decision requires Council approval at this meeting
🏢 MNP LLP selected as audit firm
📅 Contract covers 2025-2027 financial years
💼 Will provide annual financial statement audit services
📈 Professional auditing services for the city
⚖️ Requires formal Council approval to proceed
What questions do you have about the city's financial audit process?
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Council Meeting: Monday, October 20, 2025 at Rossland Council Chambers (1920 Third Avenue).
Your Voice: Attend the meeting to learn more about this financial audit contract decision.
How's Your Tax Money Being Spent? 📊
The City's Q3 budget report reveals where your tax dollars went in the first nine months of 2025 - and whether departments stayed on track with their spending plans.
💰 Q3 budget updates typically track spending progress through three-quarters of the fiscal year
📈 Municipal budget reports help residents understand how tax dollars are being managed
🚨 Third-quarter reporting allows time to address any financial challenges before year-end
📋 Budget updates inform council planning for upcoming budget cycles
🔍 Regular financial reporting promotes transparency in municipal operations
📅 Presented at October 20, 2025 Council meeting
📝 Information-only report - no decisions required
💬 Sets foundation for upcoming 2026 budget discussions
City Taking On $7M+ Sewer Risk
Major Financial Decision Alert 🚨 Council just committed taxpayers to cover ALL cost overruns on a massive sewer replacement project. The city is applying for a $7 million grant but promising to pay ANY amount above that from your tax dollars.
🚰 Wagon Road Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project needs to be completed
📋 Required to meet grant application criteria - city must guarantee project completion
💰 City applying for $7 million from 2025 Strategic Priorities Fund Program
🔧 Project involves replacing existing sanitary sewer infrastructure
⚠️ Grant application requires city commitment to cover all aspects of project completion
💵 Applying for $7 million from Strategic Priorities Fund Program
📋 City commits to overall grant management of the entire project
⚠️ City responsible for supporting any cost overruns of the proposed project
🔒 Amendment required to meet grant application criteria
🏢 Motion passed to include city's willingness to cover overruns
Are you comfortable with unlimited spending commitments?
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Motion passed October 6, 2025 ✅ Grant application will now be submitted with city's financial guarantees. Contact council members to share thoughts on future infrastructure spending policies.
🏛️ Your Tax Dollars: What Should Rossland Fund?
Council is reviewing the 2026-2030 budget plan that will shape city services and your property taxes for the next five years. Big decisions ahead on recreation programs, environmental initiatives, communications, and community grants.
📊 Five-year financial plan sets spending priorities through 2030
🏡 Property tax revenue allocation decisions affect all residents
🎯 Staff presented budget preview to guide Council direction
💬 Community feedback will shape final budget decisions
⚖️ Balance between service levels and taxpayer costs
💼 New part-time communications position to improve city information
🎨 Recreation instructor role to expand programming (user-fee funded)
🌱 Additional funding for Spring Clean Up and Fire Smart Bin Programs
🤝 Maintain 5% property tax allocation for community group grants
Council requested a World Cafe style public engagement session on October 27, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Miners Hall. This informal format lets residents discuss budget priorities directly with Council and staff.
Next Steps: Council discusses budget preview at October 20, 2025 meeting. Public engagement session October 27, 6-8 PM at Miners Hall. Final budget decisions coming in future Council meetings. Attend meetings or contact Council with your budget priorities.
How's Rossland spending your tax dollars?
Third quarter budget update reveals where the City stands financially three-quarters through 2025. Time to check in on municipal spending and revenue performance.
📊 Reviews revenue collection vs. budget projections
💰 Tracks spending across all city departments and services
⚠️ Identifies budget variances and potential issues
🎯 Shows progress on capital projects and infrastructure
📈 Provides early indicators for year-end financial position
Council Meeting: October 20, 2025 at Rossland Council Chambers following the Public Hearing. Full Q3 budget report available in meeting documents. This information-only item helps residents stay informed about city finances.
What Will Your City Look Like in 2030? 🏙️
Council is about to make huge decisions that will shape our community for the next 5 years! 💰
From your tax bill to park upgrades to road repairs - it all gets decided in the 2026-2030 Financial Plan.
The big question: What direction should staff take when planning how YOUR tax dollars get spent? 🤔
💰 Sets tax rates for residents and businesses
🚌 Plans transit, roads, and infrastructure spending
🏊 Decides on recreation facilities and programs
🏘️ Shapes housing and development policies
🚨 Allocates funds for police, fire, and emergency services
🌳 Budgets for parks, environmental initiatives
📚 Plans library, community center investments
💵 Your property taxes through 2030
🚗 Which roads get fixed and when
🏀 New recreation facilities vs maintaining current ones
🏠 How much growth and development to allow
🚑 Emergency service response times and coverage
🌱 Climate action and environmental protection funding
What should be the TOP priority for our city's spending over the next 5 years - keeping taxes low, investing in infrastructure upgrades, or expanding services?
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NEXT STEPS 🗺️
📅 Council meets: October 6, 2025 🗣️ Your voice matters: This is the PERFECT time to influence long-term planning
How to participate: • Attend the council meeting • Submit written feedback • Contact your councillor
Don't wait - once staff gets direction, the major framework is set! 🚨
Should taxpayers subsidize private work? 🏛️
City Council is reviewing a policy change that could better protect your tax dollars from subsidizing work done for private companies and external agencies. 💰
The current policy has gaps that sometimes leave taxpayers covering cost overruns when the city provides services to outside parties. Council will decide whether to strengthen cost recovery requirements.
💸 Current policy doesn't bill for cost overruns when actual work exceeds quoted amounts
🏢 Private property owners and agencies can get city services below actual cost
🏘️ Rossland taxpayers end up subsidizing work for external parties
⚠️ Staff report describes current revenue recovery as "marginal at best"
📋 Policy covers everything from materials to equipment rentals to labor
✅ Bill third parties for any cost differences when actual work exceeds quotes
📊 Ensure 100% cost recovery of all direct and indirect city expenses
💵 Include $25 administration fee per work order
🚚 Equipment charged at provincial blue book rates plus overhead
📅 Interest charges on overdue invoices, can be added to property taxes
Do you support strengthening the policy to ensure third parties pay the full cost of city services, even if it means higher bills for private property owners requesting city work?
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Official Votes
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What's Next: Council will vote on this policy amendment at their upcoming meeting. 🗳️
Your Voice Matters: Attend the council meeting or submit written feedback to share your thoughts on protecting taxpayer dollars vs. keeping city services accessible to external parties.
💰 Where Did Your Tax Dollars Go?
The City of Rossland spent $501,453 of your tax dollars in August 2025 on municipal services and programs. From youth activities to fire safety, infrastructure upgrades to museum support - your money funded dozens of community initiatives.
🏛️ Council must now approve this monthly spending report as part of our city's financial transparency measures.
💻 $18,211 in computer-printed payments for regular operations
🏦 $203,565 in electronic fund transfers to service providers
💳 $279,678 in EFT payments for major contracts and projects
📊 132 total payments processed with full oversight controls
🔍 Every dollar tracked and requires Council approval for transparency
🎆 $12K Youth Action Network programming (final payment)
🔥 $11K Fire Smart wildfire protection services
🛜 $13K skateboard park upgrades for local youth
🏢 $34K museum revitalization grant work
👥 $33K Age Friendly programming for seniors
🌳 $16K dangerous tree removal for public safety
Why This Matters for Accountability 🔍
This monthly cheque register serves as a crucial transparency tool - giving residents regular insight into city spending beyond just quarterly reports.
✅ Multiple staff review every payment ✅ Council approves all expenditures ✅ Aligns with approved 2025-2029 budget ✅ Follows Community Charter requirements
Do you think the city's spending priorities in August reflected what matters most to Rossland residents? What municipal services or programs would you want to see more investment in?
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📅 Next Steps & How to Engage
Council will vote on approving this spending report at their next meeting. This is your chance to:
• Ask questions about specific expenditures • Provide input on spending priorities • Learn more about the city's financial oversight
🏛️ Attend council meetings to stay informed about how your tax dollars are invested in our community!
🐕 Big Change Coming to Christina Lake
Area C/Christina Lake is going solo on animal control services! 🏠
After decades of sharing costs with Grand Forks, Greenwood, and Area D, Christina Lake will now run its own standalone service.
Why? All other partners have officially withdrawn from the shared service running since the 1970s.
🏛️ Original shared service started in 1976 with multiple communities
📝 Grand Forks, Greenwood, and Area D all formally withdrew
🐾 Only Christina Lake wants to continue animal control services
🔄 Converting from shared service to standalone operation
📋 Requires new Bylaw No. 1912 with three council readings
💰 What This Costs You
🏠 Property taxes will cover annual costs (based on land/building values)
💵 Fees and charges may apply for specific services
🐕 Dog licensing system will continue operating
💰 What This Costs You
🏢 Service includes pounds, kennels, and animal facilities
🔍 No longer sharing costs with other communities
Should Christina Lake proceed with its own standalone animal control service, or explore other alternatives like contracting with neighboring communities?
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Official Votes
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Next Steps: Council will vote on all THREE readings of Bylaw No. 1912 📋
Your Voice Matters: • Contact your Area C Director before the vote • Attend the council meeting to observe • Submit written feedback about the service change
Required Approvals: Director consent + Inspector of Municipalities approval needed ✅