Only one line item is left to be discussed on the General Budget after the Mar. 7, District of Barriere Budget meeting.
The final decision on whether or not the district will purchase an Airmation System for the Fire Hall or not will be made at the next Budget meeting, which will be held on Mar. 21, 6 p.m. The decision will not affect the Municipal Property Taxes, as any monies not used will be put into reserves.
This means that the municipal portion of Barriere taxes will be as follows:
For a home assessed at $297,000 - last year paid $1,075.99, this year will pay $1,092.75 (an increase of $16.76).
For a home assessed at $191,500 - last year paid $689.95, this year will pay $704.59 (an increase of $14.63).
For a home assessed at $95,800 - last year paid $360.77, this year will pay $352.48 (a decrease of $8.29).
For an industrial property assessed at $2,163,000 - last year paid $27,386.50, this year will pay $29,047.86 (an increase of $1,661.36).
For a business property assessed at $262,300 - last year paid $2,253.05, this year will pay $2,412.70 (an increase of $159.65).
During the regular council meeting, which immediately followed the budget meeting, councillors heard from a delegation regarding the Barriere Natural History Museum and Interpretive Centre.
A committee has been formed spearheading this initiative, comprised of Brian Bondar, Lana Laskovik, Marie Downing, Virginia Smith, Colleen Hannigan, Bill Kershaw, and Tina Donald.
The Centre would comprise a new 120,000 square foot, fully accessible, multi-use museum facility. The planned location is adjacent to Highway 5, the Barriere River, and public trails.
The project would cost an estimated 5.5 million dollars, with primary funding coming from Federal and Provincial funds, private foundations and corporations.
The presentation was for information sharing. The group did not ask council for money, nor does it anticipate requesting any funding in the future.
Hannah Feller was on hand to speak to council regarding a request for funds from the Senior Girls Basketball team. They are going to Duncan for the Provincials and were requesting a grant to help pay costs. Council members voted to give a grant of $500. Councillor Pat Paula followed the motion by stating that she would match that donation personally. Bill Kershaw stated that the TNRD would also match the $500 grant. Lana Laskovik also promised to give $250 to the team.
The next regular council meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Mar. 21.