By Sebastian Kanally, Times Chronicle

How much of a financial burden should the town carry to send delegations to Bandai, its Japanese sister city?

Oliver moved to formalize their policies around sister city travel and travel expense policies in general at their March 31 meeting.

After the last delegation travelled to Bandai in 2024, which adds to an emerging trend of these trips becoming more frequent, questions were raised about these policies and their limits.

At a January 6 meeting, councillor Petra Veintimilla pointed out that in the past at different times, different things have been done to either fully or partially cover expenses for the trips, “it makes sense to solidify a plan going forward”.

It was during this discussion that council wanted to incorporate a limit of one partially funded (50 per cent) travel per councillor per term. And secondly, the Mayor has one partially funded (50 per cent) travel to sister city per term.

The town settled on formalizing the 50 per cent number, except for the mayor’s first visit of their term.

The mayor would be fully reimbursed for his first travel to each sister city per term. The town thought that this ought to be the case since the mayor has an expectation to travel with the delegations.

The mayor would then be reimbursed for their second trip to each sister city at 50 per cent for airfare and accommodations. Councillors will be reimbursed for their first travel to each sister city per term at 50 per cent for airfare and accommodations.

The remainder of travel expenses would follow the Town of Oliver Expense Policy.

The town also decided to make two changes to its expense policy. One allows for flexibility when selecting the most cost-effective airfare to include luggage rather than the least expensive airfare.

The town also updated its expense policy with the most recent Canada Revenue Agency rates, which sets new expenses allowed when councillors travel.

The allowance under the policy now allows for:

  • Breakfast – $27.95.
  • Lunch – $27.00.
  • Dinner – $56.85.
  • Incidental allowance – $17.50.
  • Mileage – $0.72/km.

Oliver has two sister cities that would be included within this policy: Bandai, Japan and Lake Chelan, Washington USA.

The Oliver Ambassadors travelled to Bandai from July 28 to August 5, 2024 and the town covered 50 per cent of the costs for airline tickets.

Based on this recent trip the town estimates that travelling to Bandai costs approximately $1,575 to $2,000 for flights and approximately $1,000 per person for accommodations.