Major infrastructure projects in the RDKB underpin 2023 budget increase
By RDKB
Last week (March 29) the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) Board of Directors approved the 2023 budget at $93.1 million after adopting the 2023-2027 five-year financial plan.
Major infrastructure projects throughout the RDKB underpin this year’s budget increase.
Together with the use of reserve funds, property and parcel taxes, and short and long term borrowing, the RDKB is utilizing a significant amount of grant funding to balance the 2023 budget.
Government grants comprise approximately 31% of the revenue ($28.6 million). $22.5 million of those grant monies will support the RDKB operated Columbia Pollution Control Centre (wastewater treatment plant) located in Trail.
Capital expenditures make up approximately 50% ($46.7 million) of the budget and includes significant projects such as the start of the Columbia Pollution Control Centre upgrade at a cost of $30.7 million in 2023. Other capital projects include the completion of the Boundary organics facility upgrade in Grand Forks, and the replacement of fire apparatus in Christina Lake and Big White.
Also on the horizon are two infrastructure projects associated with the continued regional development of the organics diversion programs: the McKelvey Creek Landfill Upgrade Project in Trail and the purchase of organics processing equipment.
Future projects include the imminent implementation of a green bin curbside collection for 8,200 homes in the McKelvey Creek Wasteshed (October 2023), which will service residents of Rossland, Warfield, Trail, Montrose and Fruitvale, as well as those living in Areas A and B.
“These necessary investments in our infrastructure have the backing of the people, support the resilience of our communities, facilitate our transition to clean growth, create jobs, improve essential services and will strengthen the entire region as a whole,” says Linda Worley, chair of the RDKB board of directors.
Worley also extended her thanks to the federal and provincial governments whose contributions have made the planned upgrades and initiatives possible.
“This year we returned to town hall meetings in person across Areas A to E to engage the public in our budget process and gather their input. We had record-breaking turnouts and are grateful to our residents for their continued participation in this important conversation,” added Worley.
The full 2023-2027 five-year financial plan can be viewed on the RDKB website: RDKB Finance
RDKB operates over 70 services in eight incorporated municipalities and five unincorporated electoral areas spread across 8,200 km2 .
They include environmental services (55% of expense budget), protective & public safety services including fire, emergency preparedness, and building inspection (16%), recreation and culture services (12%), transportation services (3%) as well as general government services (8%) and development services (4%).
The remaining 2% of expenses by category are municipal debt, which is a flow-through process with no costs being borne by RDKB rural residents.
