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Town Council Notes: Golden Area Initiatives submits 2013 budget

Golden Area Initiatives submitted their budget for the 2013 fiscal year to Golden council on Dec. 4.

GAI Budget

Golden Area Initiatives submitted their budget for the 2013 fiscal year to Golden council on Dec. 4.

The total expenses for the year, as well as the sources of the revenue to cover that budget, remain identical to the previous year. GAI has a budget of $397,041, which consists of $143,973 from the Town of Golden, $153,068 from the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, and $100,000 from the CSRD's Economic Opportunity Fund.

($120,000 of the total budget goes to Kicking Horse Culture, GAI is just the flow through).

Although the total remains the same, the specifics of the budget have shifted significantly from 2012. Payroll has seen a 8.9 per cent decrease, going from $204,000 in 2012 to $181,166. They were able to reallocate those funds to other areas.

Coun. Ron Oszust said, "It's much more than just a hold-the-line budget."

GAI is also very excited about the 3/4 page ad they have place in the West Jet magazine, featuring the award-winning Backyard Campaign.

BC Climate Action Charter

Coun. Keith Hern proposed several resolutions at the regular open council meeting on Dec. 4, involving the town's withdrawal from certain environmental commitments.

He proposed that Golden withdraw from the BC Climate Action Charter, the Carbon Neutral Kootenay Project, that the Select Committee on Community-wide Energy and Emissions Reduction be disbanded, and that no town funds be used to purchase carbon offsets.

Hern described these projects as having "no value to Golden."

He also recommended that the Golden and District Air Quality Committee be recognized as a community liaison committee, and that the town grant them with $14,000 in 2013 in support of the Woodstove Exchange Program.

Mayor Christina Benty recommended that the resolutions be deferred to a later meeting so that staff and councillors had time to research the implications of such a "major policy shift."

Council agreed, and deferred the discussion to a later meeting.

Rec Plex Boiler

One of the two boilers at the Mount 7 Rec Plex has stopped working, and manager of operations Chris Cochran recommended to council that the town purchase a new one.

"It is possible that an attempt can be made to clean and re-start the existing boiler," said Cochran. "But to rely on a single boiler is not a preferred option."

The Golden Swimming Pool replaced their boiler this past year, and have already gained significant savings in energy costs. Cochran estimates that a new boiler (at a cost of $10,500) will pay for itself if energy savings before the end of the 12-year warranty.

Council voted to purchase the new boiler from Sure Mechanical Solutions.

Fuel Supply Contract

The Town of Golden's three-year bulk fuel supply contract is coming to an end on Dec. 17, and manager of operations Chris Cochran recommended that council extend the contract for one year.

Jepson Petroleum Ltd, has been the supplier for the town for the last couple of contracts. After the last contract expired, the town advertised but received only one proposal due to the fact that aren't any other bulk fuel card lock facilities in town.

Jepson has agreed to not increase their profit margin if the contract were be extended for the additional year.

Based on the town's consumption in 2012, the contract is valued at approximately $88,900.