Williams Lake Council Highlights - August 25, 2026 mtg

Present in WL Council Chambers:

Mayor Rathor; Councillors Boehm, Flaspohler, Moses and Nelson

Meeting called to order at 6:00pm

Mayor Rathor recognized that the meeting was taking place on the traditional unceded territory of Williams Lake First Nation within Secwepemculecw and welcomed Cariboo RD Area "D" Director Steve Forseth to tonight's Council meeting and acknowledged the absence of Councillors A. Delainey and J. Lyons

Meeting Video - click here

Meeting Agenda - click here

Meeting Agenda adopted

Minutes of the previous Council meeting were received/adopted

Resolved: That the Mayor be authorized to provide a letter of achievement and certificate to Mr. Pat Matthews for his significant involvement in local radio 

Business:

1) Council received or received for information: 

* accounts payable computer cheque and EFT (Electronic Funds Transfers) listings dated August 13 and 20, 2026

* Letter from UBCM or Union of BC Municipalities Resolution re Extraordinary Resolution 2025-ER1 - Existing Policy ('2026 Health Care Provider Crisis' Submission) 

* Proclamations, Lighting Requests & Flag Raisings as per Council Policy #235 (August 31, 2026 - International Overdose Awareness Day and September 10, 2026 - World Suicide Prevention Day) 

* Council Information Package as of August 25, 2026

2) Council approved compensation, registration and travel expenses for those wishing to attend the UBCM Annual Convention being held in Vancouver, BC from September 14 to 18, 2026

3) Council directed staff to initiate the public notification and agency referrals process for the proposed relocation of an existing retail cannabis store to be located at #420-1185 Prosperity Way and that it be brought back for final consideration of Council at their October 6, 2026 regular meeting, following receipt of public input at the meeting, as well as agency and public comments received, after completion of the public notification process (including notices to be posted by the applicant in the required timeframe) conducted in a format as approved by Williams Lake's Chief Administrative Officer

4) Council approved free transit service (i.e. conventional and HandyDART) for Municipal Election Day taking place on Saturday, October 17, 2026

5) Council approved a Committee of the Whole recommendation concerning the timeline for the 2027 Budget/2027-2032 Five Year Financial Plan, as follows: 

Council approve the proposed budget and five-year financial plan preparation timeline for 2027 and that:

i) Staff be directed to prepare a budget based on maintaining services and staffing levels at existing levels,

ii) Achieving a zero percent increase in the mil rate be a goal for preparing the 2027 budget,

iii) A report be prepared for Council's consideration on options for funding the Water Treatment Plant project,

iv) Staff be directed to investigate options for grants to offset the costs of the capital project costs, and

v) An analysis be provided showing the costs of maintaining status quo service levels compared with 2026 costs

CONTRARY TO THE MOTION: Councillor J. Flaspohler

And then Council adjourned at 6:42pm