$39,000 funding means Museum will qualify for grants from other agencies
By Julie TurnerrnOsoyoos Times
Council gave three readings to its five-year financial plan and 2006 budget at Monday night's Council meeting. The plan will be ratified May 15, following a public input session.
This year's Town budget rolls in at $8.76 million. Highlights include a four-per-cent average increase in taxes, which will go toward a number of capital and operational costs, including road improvements, water and sewer projects and completing Phase 2 of the Sonora Community Centre.
The Osoyoos Museum Society, which has limped along in past years with grants-in-aid funding, has been awarded $39,000 for 2006. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has also granted the Museum $11,000.
Museum Curator Gayle Cornish said she's really thankful and excited to learn about the funding.
It's fabulous! This is what we've needed to move the museum forward. We've recently applied for several other grants, and getting them hinges on whether or not we get this sustainable funding.rnAt Monday's Council meeting, Mayor John Slater said he hopes the museum does a great job with the money.
By putting $39,000 in the budget this year it's certainly going to give them the ability to show what they can do with adequate funding, Slater said.
Councillor Allan Carswell said this year's budget is a nice balance and has something in it for everyone.rnCouncillor Dick Flintoft said a lot of work went into the financial plan to find the best way to spend money to serve Osoyoos citizens.
The four main categories of spending that make up the $8.76 million for 2006 are:rn¢ $4.95 million for operating expenses (fire protection, water, sewer and general.
¢ $3.52 million for capital expenditures.
¢ $144,000 for principal and interest payment on debt.
¢$143,000 for transfers to reserve funds and other levels of government.
For further information about the 2006 Town budget, see details in next week's Osoyoos Times.
