Constituents of the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) are being asked to weigh in on the CRD’s proposed 2024 budget.
The budget calls for $794,302 increase over 2023’s budget of $68.98-million for a total of $69.57-million this year. This increase will support the delivery of the CRD’s solid waste management, recreation, fire protection and utility services across the Cariboo, noted the CRD in a news release.
Before this budget becomes official the CRD is required to consult the public and take their feedback into account.
“The feedback we get from residents helps us understand the needs of the region, and how well our budget meets those needs” said Jim Glassford, Chair of the Finance-Budget Committee and Director for Electoral Area “I” (Nazko-West Fraser). “Some of the feedback we can use in our last stages of financial planning, and other feedback highlights opportunities to connect with residents down the road. No matter when you give it to us, we seriously consider what we hear from our constituents.”
According to the CRD’s 2024-2028 financial plan, a portion of the increase in the budget will go towards paying for new positions created at the CRD. This includes the creation of a new Indigenous Relations management position and the addition of a new staff member for the CRD’s planning department.
Environmental Services saw the largest increase of 6.9 per cent, or $365,113, to cover the costs of the updated solid waste management plan. In the past the program replied on Community Work Funds but with the program’s future uncertain this increase will build up a surplus when it comes time to renew the solid waste management plan.
Those looking to provide feedback can do so by reviewing the CRD’s budgets and business plans at cariboord.ca/budget. Afterward, they can provide feedback via cariboord.ca/fp-survey.
In addition to online resources, the CRD is sending information to residents by mail this month. These information flyers will provide a more focused overview of the services available in their electoral area.
The CRD noted it hopes that by providing this information through multiple channels they’ll be able to get more residents to provide comments on the budget. The information flyers are also available online.