#policy
Should Rossland overhaul community funding?
City Council is considering major changes to how non-profits, charities, and community organizations apply for grants and tax breaks. The new policy would streamline multiple funding programs but completely change application deadlines and eliminate some tax exemptions.
🏛️ Currently groups apply separately for grants, tax exemptions, and facility rentals
📅 Different programs have different deadlines throughout the year
💰 Some organizations get property tax exemptions instead of direct grants
🔄 Council wants a "single, holistic approach" to community funding decisions
📊 Staff say current system lacks objectivity in allocation process
📝 One unified application for all funding types with single July 15th deadline
🏠 Shift away from property tax exemptions toward direct grant funding
🏢 End discounted rent arrangements - groups pay market rate, get equivalent grants
⚖️ New "objective criteria" for evaluating applications
📋 Standardized annual reporting required from all funding recipients
Should community funding be streamlined with stricter criteria?
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Council Meeting: October 20, 2025 at Rossland Council Chambers (1920 Third Avenue) immediately following the Public Hearing. Organizations currently receiving funding should pay attention - the 2026 application deadline would be November 21st if approved, with future applications due July 15th annually.
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.
Major Overhaul Coming to Community Grants?
Rossland is proposing sweeping changes to how local nonprofits and community groups receive city funding. The new policy would create a unified application system, eliminate most tax exemptions, and establish stricter evaluation criteria for the $366,284 in annual community support.
Current System Getting Complete Makeover
🏛️ Multiple funding streams currently scattered across grants, tax breaks, and in-kind support
📅 Different application deadlines create confusion for community groups
💰 Tax exemptions being phased out in favor of direct grant funding
Current System Getting Complete Makeover
📊 New objective scoring criteria to replace current evaluation process
🤝 Shift toward holistic review of all city support to each organization
New Streamlined System Details
📋 Single application portal opening June 1st with July 15th deadline
🏆 Four funding categories: Multi-year Operating, One-time Project, Capital, and Letters of Support
📈 Unified scoring system emphasizing financial need, municipal alignment, and community impact
New Streamlined System Details
📊 Annual reporting requirements with standardized outcome surveys
⚖️ Fair evaluation process comparing total city support across all programs
The Numbers Behind Community Support
Should community funding be more streamlined and objective?
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Council Decision: October 20, 2025 at Rossland Council Chambers (1920 Third Avenue) immediately following the Public Hearing. 2026 Transition: Current funding applications due November 21, 2025. New unified system starts in 2026 for 2027 funding decisions. Public input welcomed before the vote.
❄️ Which Streets Get Plowed First?
Council is updating Rossland's snow removal priorities - deciding which streets get cleared first when the snow starts falling. Some neighborhoods will gain service, others might lose it.
🛣️ Your street's priority level determines when (or if) you'll see a snowplow during winter storms.
🚨 Priority 1: Emergency routes, transit routes, downtown core - cleared first to stay passable
🏫 Priority 2: Hills, school zones, bus stops, main residential routes - cleared once Priority 1 is maintained
🏘️ Priority 3 & 4: Secondary residential, dead ends, alleys - only get compacted snow surface when higher priorities are done
⚠️ Reality check: Lower priority streets might not see plows during heavy snow events
📋 What's Actually Changing
✅ GAINING SERVICE: Centennial Place, Ridge Road (Priority 3), Topping Terrace, Small Alley of Butte (Priority 4)
❌ LOSING SERVICE: Red Mountain Road section between parking lot and Caldera - no longer city-plowed
🔄 Policy clarifies: Which areas are city-maintained vs. private responsibility
💰 Budget consideration: Resource allocation must balance personnel, equipment and other city priorities
🏠 What This Means for You
🚗 "Plowed" doesn't mean bare pavement - just passable for vehicles with proper winter tires
🚶 Sidewalks: Your responsibility to clear (except city property) - Priority 1 sidewalks cleared in 48hrs, Priority 2 in 72hrs
🏠 Don't park on streets during snow clearing - helps crews work efficiently
⛔ Can't dump private snow on cleared public areas without approval
Are these snow removal priorities fair for your neighborhood? Should some streets be moved to higher or lower priority levels?
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Official Votes
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📅 Council Meeting: September 15, 2025
Council will vote to approve the amended Road, Sidewalk and Stair Snow Removal Policy (AD-22).
🏢 Have your say: Attend the meeting or contact Council before the vote
❄️ Winter's coming - these priorities will affect your daily commute and neighborhood access during snow events
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.
🐕 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 ✅