2 New Press Releases from WL City Hall

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

1) New Business Attraction/Expansion Task Force:

The City’s Business Expansion and Attraction Task Force held its first meeting Wednesday morning and began the task of prioritizing recommendations from the Business Expansion and Attraction Strategy (BEAS) and identifying implementation partners.

The Task Force is comprised of:

Tracey Gard - WL and District Chamber of Commerce
Sheila Mortensen - President, Williams Lake Central Business Improvement Area
Ray Sanders - Director, Thompson Rivers University Williams Lake
Glen Holling - Owner, RE/MAX
Ross MacLean - Manager, Gibraltar Mine
Coun. Geoff Bourdon - City of Williams Lake
Mayor Kerry Cook - City of Williams Lake

“Our Task Force has some very knowledgeable, dedicated, and experienced individuals to help drive our business expansion and attraction strategy,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “Business and job growth can’t be created at City Hall alone. We need to partner with the business community to identify opportunities and ensure the municipality creates an environment that encourages and supports business and industrial development.”

The BEAS contains six Strategy Areas that are focused on moving the City towards its strategic objective of a larger and more diversified economy. Within each Strategy Area, there are a number of Strategic Initiatives, many of which will benefit from the support and/or leadership networks of other community partners to deliver. Examples include:

• Reviewing the mill rates for major industry
• Working with local mining companies to identify material suppliers they use which are located outside of the Cariboo, and engage these suppliers to see if there is potential to locate offices or provide services from Williams Lake
• Creating an investwilliamslake.com website to effectively promote Williams Lake to key target markets and sectors
• Helping to address local rail issues for industrial clients
• Collaborating with merchants and land owners to enhance and strengthen the ongoing growth and attraction of retailers and commercial enterprises in the downtown.
• Supporting Thompson Rivers University in developing its northern campus and local program expansion, particularly as it pertains to attracting investment from outside.

“Proper long-term planning reduces the number of studies you have to do,” says Councillor Geoff Bourdon. “These are priorities that go past disruptive campaign cycles.”

Task Force Chair Dr. Ray Sanders says: “Economic development is about mustering forces to attract and maintain business. Everyone needs a voice.

Remember that every community in North America is trying to expand and attract business. We have to be fundamentally different and creative in our approach. We need to look at all of the reasons someone would want to invest, live, and play in our region and strengthen them. We must also look at the reasons someone would not invest, live, and play in our region and mitigate these. Arts and culture are as important as economic and social issues to business and industry. We need long term, mid range, and short term goals that are driven with vision and passion. Success should be celebrated and clear metrics established.”

The Task Force is to report back to Council by December 31, 2011.

Editor's Note - With December 31st being the deadline for reporting out - there goes Mayor Cook's promise of a report ready for the next Council when they are sworn in on December 6th??

2) 2012-2016 Financial Plan Timetable

At its regular meeting Tuesday evening, Council approved the 2012-2016 Financial Plan Timetable, which sets four priorities for the next 5-year financial plan:

1) Adjust tax distribution between B.C. Assessment Authority classifications – Research other methods of taxation distribution between classes that will bring current tax rates more in alignment with provincial municipal taxation rate averages
2) Develop capital infrastructure plan – Review capital infrastructure needs and develop long term plan for financing future capital projects including continuation of a pavement management plan
3) Pursue most efficient and cost saving measures in delivery of municipal services – Continue to review departmental services and implement procedures & processes to reach maximum efficiency and effectiveness of services.
4) Tax Rate Scenarios – Provide tax rate increase options between 2 – 3% throughout the 5-year Financial Plan.

“Council wanted to give clear direction to staff that we are continuing to move in a fiscally responsible manner,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “We are watching our spending very closely, looking to address industrial tax rates, and looking for ways to provide the most cost-efficient municipal services possible. Budget decisions will be up to the next council.”

The timetable anticipates presenting the 2012-2016 Financial Plan to Council in mid-December, and confirming dates for public consultation in January. Public consultation normally occurs in early March.

Under the Community Charter, the City’s financial plan and property tax rates must be adopted by May 15th of each year.

Editor's Note - For the record, this plan was not unanimously supported at WL Councillor SPS Rathor took issue with Point #4 as per above (tax rates of 2-3% for Years 2012-2016 inclusive)