The Town of Oliver received more money in provincial/federal transfer payments this year compared to 2013.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Dave Svetlichny reported this fact during a recent presentation to council.
In his second quarter financial report, Svetlichny said transfer revenues were $232,000 higher in the first six months of 2014 compared to the same period last year.
Svetlichny attributed this to the way the provincial government is administering the Small Communities Grant.
The CFO reported that sales of Town services are $73,300 lower in the first six months compared to the same period in 2013.
This decrease is attributed to two primary factors: the timing of a fire protection invoice to the Osoyoos Indian Band, and garbage and recycling fees decreasing by $25,000 this year.
In 2013 the band was invoiced $60,000 for fire protection during the first six months. This year the invoice wasn’t issued until the third quarter.
Svetlichny said the decrease in garbage fees was anticipated due to the Town signing the Multi-Materials BC recycling agreement.
The CFO said the Town’s personnel costs were approximately $105,200 higher in the first six months of 2014 compared to the same period last year.
This increase is attributed to the following factors: Hiring a new deputy director of operations; CUPE wage increase of two per cent; and staff allocation changes.
The new deputy director is Bruce Balcom, who comes from the city of Estevan in Saskatchewan.
Balcom replaces past foreman Dave Janzen, who retired.
Balcom’s main focus is running the day-to-day operations and organization of Public Works crews in Oliver.
Svetlichny said 2014 consulting costs were higher than last year by approximately $28,000. The majority of these costs were incurred as part of hiring Balcom as well as new Chief Administrative Officer Heidi Frank.
It was also noted that 2014 dental and extended health premiums are higher than 2013 by approximately $13,500.
Other general government costs were approximately $37,600 higher in the first six months of 2014 compared to the same period last year.
Part of this increase is attributed to 2014 grant-in-aid costs being $5,200 higher than the same period in 2013.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
