Regional Board meeting highlights - January 16, 2025

Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Community Emergency Preparedness Fund grant application support
The Regional Board supported a regional application for $240,000 for the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund to support Emergency Support Services (ESS) equipment and training. Grant funds will be used to purchase of equipment to bolster Muster Centres and expand group lodging capabilities in each local area, modernize volunteer and records management, and enable training opportunities to ensure the capability and capacity of ESS volunteers.

Grant funding for HVAC systems at two community halls
The Regional Board supported a proposal for $200,000 to the 2024 intake of the Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding (DRIF) program under the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR). Funding from this program will enable the RDCO to complete the installation of HVAC equipment and emergency generators as necessary at the Joe Rich Community Hall and the Killiney Beach Community Hall to provide warming and cooling centres during emergencies.

Grant funding for Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Assessments (HRVA)
The Regional Board supported an application for $125,000 for the 2024 intake of the Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding (DRIF) program under the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR). Funding from this program will enable the RDCO to complete a comprehensive HRVA for Electoral Area West, Electoral Area East and the Regional Parks. HRVAs are a mandatory requirement under the Emergency and Disaster Management Act (EDMA) and are crucial for identifying potential hazards, assessing risks and developing effective mitigation strategies.

Amendments to Exempt Staff Administration Policy

The Regional Board approved amendments to Board Policy 8.11 Exempt Staff Administration Policy. The policy guides salary administration for positions not covered by a union collective agreement and the approved amendments were incorporated to ensure salary administration is clear, maintain board oversight, remains fair, and is consistent with comparator organizations.

Purchase Commitments over $100,000 during Q4 2024
The Regional Board received a report on all purchase commitments exceeding $100,000 made during Q4 2024 (October 1 to December 31) in accordance with section 4.6 of the Board’s Purchasing Policy.

2025-2029 Draft Five-Year Financial Plan

The Director of Financial Services provided the Board with a report and presentation on the draft 2025-2029 Five-Year Financial Plan. During the discussion, the Board requested that the Environmental Planner be removed from the plan, that reserve funds be used to offset the tax increases for Wilson’s Landing Fire Department, Ellison Fire Department and the Ellison Community Hall and that the Grant in Aid funding remain at the 2024 levels. The changes the Board resolved to make to the draft financial plan at the meeting will be incorporated and brought back to the Regional Board at the February 20 meeting.

Residents are invited to learn more about the financial plan and ask questions at yoursay.rdco.com before February 6, 2025. Residents in Electoral Area East and West can view a detailed breakdown of the tax implications of the proposed financial plan by visiting rdco.com/tax-estimator.

Regional Board meetings
Regional District office – 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna (Woodhaven Boardroom)

• January 30 – 8:30 a.m. – Committee of the Whole
• February 20 – 9:30 a.m.

A live stream video link will be available for each meeting in the Upcoming Meeting agenda section of rdco.com/agenda. When available, a link to the Video recording will be posted in the Past Meetings section.

Central Okanagan Regional Hospital Board

During the inaugural annual meeting, the Directors of the Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District (CORHD) Board unanimously acclaimed Tom Dyas as Chair and Blair Ireland as Acting (Vice)Chair. The Board received a presentation from Interior Health regarding the 2025/26 Capital Funding Requests, which total $7.41 million. The CORHD funds 40% of the capital projects for hospitals and health facilities.

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