Roxanne Shepherd

The board discussed and accepted the 2025 audited financial statements, including a presentation from the auditor regarding management responsibility, financial position, and cash flows. Additionally, the board considered the Peace River Regional Hospital District Capital Expenditure Bylaw No. 221, 2026, which authorizes funding for various capital projects requested by Northern Health, including equipment upgrades, building integrity improvements, IT cybersecurity initiatives, and chiller replacements for hospital facilities.

The board meeting covers a broad range of topics including a presentation on the Westcoast Oil Pipeline Project, correspondence regarding seismic monitoring stations and grant requests, and multiple reports on fee adjustments for the Seniors Aging in Place program, rural budget recommendations, and contract amendments for wastewater system operations. Additionally, the agenda addresses the review of solid waste collection network options, several non-farm use applications within the Agricultural Land Reserve, and the selection of ministerial meetings for the Union of BC Municipalities. New business includes the consideration of bylaws for community space service establishment and various committee appointments, alongside updates on FireSmart campaigns and grant writing workshops.

The committee reviewed a presentation regarding the Solid Waste Facility Network Assessment, which included an evaluation of transportation corridors, population density for service demand, and various options for service coverage at specific facility locations, including potential upgrades, closures, and status changes for several rural sites.

The report proposes the Regional Parks Conversion and Service Establishment Bylaw, which transitions the regional parks authority from service via Supplementary Letters Patent to service by bylaw. This change expands the scope of the regional parks service to include aquatic vegetation removal, trails, and recreational amenities and infrastructure, while also establishing new funding and designation processes for regionally significant parks.

This document is a bylaw to adopt the Five-Year Financial Plan for the Peace River Regional District for the years 2026-2030. It outlines the summary of revenues and expenditures by function and year, ensuring fiscal responsibility and compliance with the Local Government Act. The plan provides a roadmap for financial operations, specifying revenue sources such as tax requisition, parcel taxes, fees & charges, and other revenues, as well as expenditures including debt servicing, transfers, capital, and other purposes.