From the Bear Pit: January 10, 2022

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From the Bear Pit

Regional Council Meeting News

January 10, 2022 Regional Council Meetings

BC Assessment 2022 Assessment Roll Completed

BC Assessment Authority (BCA) reviews and revises property assessment annually and is the provincial body

given that authority under the Assessment Act. The Municipality receives a completed tax assessment roll at approximately the same time as homeowners receive their assessments in early January.

According to BC Assessment, "(a)ll during the pandemic, the real estate market has remained robust across the province including higher demand throughout Northern BC, which has resulted in higher 2022 assessment values for most homeowners in the region.” On their website, they indicate that the average residential assessment increase was 13%, but in reviewing the roll, it is clear that some residential assessments, were much increased compared to others, as can be seen in the following graph:

A common misconception is that a significant change in your assessed value will result in a proportionately significant change in your property taxes. The most important factor is not how much your assessed value has changed, but how your assessed value has changed relative to the average change for your property class in your municipality or taxing jurisdiction.

*The diagram on the left assumes that there are no changes in the distribution of budget funding between property classes for your taxing jurisdiction and/or any other taxing agency.

You can find your property class on your assessment notice next to your assessed value. The residential tax class is made up of 6 categories and there were shifts in assessment amongst the residential classes that are not uniform across the class. The largest shift (28%) is seen with the increase in the Single Family Residential properties.

The chart below illustrates these average changes in assessed value by residential tax class.

Property owners are able to appeal their assessed value, which forms one part of the property tax equation described above, to the Property Assessment Review Panel. The deadline for appealing your assessed value is the last working day in January each year, typically January 31^st. You can visit the BC Assessment to see more information on appealing your assessment.

Administration Report #05/22

NRRM Animal Welfare Services Will Be Sought in 2022

The NRRM contracts services for both pound-keeping and animal control, however there is currently no services to address broader animal welfare needs. Since the closing of Takashi's Animal Rescue, the NRRM is very aware of the need for a comprehensive animal welfare system to provide care for animals in need and education to pet owners.

Many communities maintain an agreement with a local branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to provide the the above services as well as education, animal welfare and shelter services, the BC SPCA has advised that they do not have the capacity to offer this to the Northern Rockies.

As the existing contacts expire this year, we will be inviting expressions of interest from organizations that can provide animal control and pound-keeping services in addition to:

foster/adoption of abandoned pets
public education about animal welfare
collaboration with local vets to provide spay/neuter clinics

Administration Report #01/21

New Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) Appoints

First Members

A request for members was printed in the local newspaper and advertised through the municipal website and social media channels in late 2021. Expressions of interest have been received from nine community members with backgrounds, education and/or experience in a range of fields that would benefit the newly-formed committee. The EAC will also include a staff and a council representative, and a draft Terms of Reference was provided to reviewed at an initial EAC committee meeting.

Administration Report #04/22

Northern Rockies Regional Airport Restores Landing Fees

In 2020, Council amended the Airport Fees and Parking Regulations Bylaw No. 105, 2014

to eliminate landing and passenger fees in an effort to relieve some of the impacts of

COVID-19 public health orders related to the aviation industry. After one year, Council reinstated landing and passenger fees at the end of 2021, recognizing that travel restrictions were lessening as vaccination numbers increase and travel is anticipated to return to pre-pandemic levels.

Bylaw Report #199/21 | Airport Fees Amendment Bylaw No. 199, 2021

Grant Applications

Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT)

Grant Writing Support Program

For several years, annual NDIT grant funding in the amount of $8,000 has helped to support a grant writing position by offsetting a portion of the cost of a full-time position. The grant writer assists various organizations to submit applications for funding opportunities.

Administration Report #02/22

Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT)

Economic Development Capacity Building Program

The NDIT funds up to $50,000 to hire an Economic Development Officer or pursue economic development projects. The NRRM offsets the cost of one of two Regional Development Officers on staff.

Administration Report #02/22

Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP)

British Columbia Green Infrastructure- Environmental Quality (EQ) Program

The Environmental Quality (EQ) Program is dedicated to capital infrastructure that will support access to drinking water as well as other projects that improve treatment and management of wastewater, solid waste and soil and air pollutants. Local governments may submit 1 application per year for up to 73.33% of eligible project costs (40% Government of Canada, 33.33% Province of British Columbia). The Toad River Community Water Supply Project would provide treated water at a small bulk water station, the Toad River Community Hall, and potentially, the Toad River School.

Administration Report #03/22

Also of note

An 2021 interim audit report from Sander Rose Bone Grindle LLP was received for information.

December 16, 2022 correspondence from MLA Dan Davies to Northern Health regarding laboratory services at Fort Nelson General Hospital was received for information.
Council resolved to provide a letter in support in response to a request from the Northern Rockies Seniors Society. The Society is applying for a Northern Development Initiative Trust Community Shuttle Program grant.

The Northern Rockies Arts Council is requesting a Canadian Heritage Grant to assist with production of the 2022 Arts Council Street Festival. Council resolved to provide a letter in support of their application.