Williams Lake City Council approved a budget reading that axes 655 thousand dollars of capital projects, giving taxpayers a “3.2 per cent tax reduction”.
A proposed 5.9 million dollars of water projects are being deferred to 2029 and 2030, with plans to re-evaluate them within the five-year deferral should grants that cover the costs of the projects be secured. The Council plans to re-evaluate the projects when the 2029 and 2030 budgets are being sussed out.
With the proposed cuts and the additional estimated totals of the deferrals, the Council approved in a contentious 4 – 3 vote, with Councillors Joan Flaspohler, Jazmyn Lyons, and Michael Moses opposing.
Councillor Flaspohler cautions that deferring over again will cost even more in the future.
“Constant deferrals are not beneficial in the long run for the municipality or the taxpayers,” Flaspohler says. “Projects needed today will still be needed tomorrow, but at a much higher cost. This only pushes things ahead and doesn’t deal with it. Sometimes, you just have to bite the bullet.”
Mayor and Council cite the impending tariffs from the United States, and other economic uncertainties as one of the reasons.
“We know that people are struggling out there, paycheque to paycheque,” says Councillor Scott Nelson. “These are important projects, but when the well is dry, the well is dry. The issue that is in front of us is bridging these projects while we wait to see what happens with the economy.”
The projects are not considered “vital” to Williams Lake and the greater District now; however, should economic turmoil hit, a major wildfire in the region, or a serious drought occur, Lake City and the region would certainly miss these assets.
Projects on the chopping block include a $50,000 repair and revamp of the “Y-Intersection” that ICBC recorded 94 car accidents between 2017 and 2021, considering the intersection the most dangerous in the city.
A Structure Support Protection truck and trailer for the Williams Lake Fire Department, estimated at $200,000 combined are off the budget. The loss will not be “a major risk” to the community, but will significantly hinder the City’s ability to help should a wildfire occur.
The Boitanio Park Irrigation repairs estimated at $240,000 have also been axed by the Council.
The projects being deferred are major infrastructure investments.
The Deep Well Replacement which has been deferred already, has been deferred yet again. This would cost the City $2 million.
A new Tower Crescent Reservoir is quoted at an estimated $3 million. Staff report it may cost even more by the time the project gets re-evaluated in 2029. Not doing the project could cost an additional $180,000 worth of work to realign and drain the current reservoir, should it fail. The estimated costs of work are for 2025 and are projected to increase through the next five-years.
A Western Avenue Fireflow upgrade, estimated at $300,000 is to be deferred as well; with risks such as insufficient flow in the case of an emergency, and cost increases to complete the project at a future date.
The tune of $100,000 may be avoided with the Hodgson Road Area Water Mains Investigation and Redesign being deferred. Risking supply issues should the current main fail.
Mayor and Council say that if “the money comes up” in the form of grants or other financial initiatives, the City will look into completing the projects.
Something going on in the Cariboo you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
