New Westminster has yet to decide how it will spend a $15.8-million grant from senior governments.
On March 3, the provincial government announced the City of New Westminster would be receiving $15,850,000 from the Growing Communities Fund, which is providing a one-time total of $1 billion in grants to all 188 B.C. municipalities and regional districts.
When considering the draft 2023 to 2027 financial plan on March 27, Coun. Daniel Fontaine sought clarification about the process for spending that money.
“It's almost $16 million, and it is built into this budget on the revenue side, but we don't see where it's allocated on the expense side,” he said.
Fontaine said he hopes council would consider the public’s priorities in terms of the use of this new provincial funding. He has suggested the city use some of those funds for an all-weather field in Queensborough.
The city’s 2023 to 2027 $410.6-million five-year capital plan ($173.2-million in 2023) details years that projects will be funded and the use of those funds.
Harji Varn, the city’s director of finances, said she would be encouraging council to use the funds from the Growing Communities Fund to offset the cost of items already included in the capital plans.
“There are projects that are on the go that need to wrap up still, key projects like Massey Theatre and the aquatic centre,” she said.
Varn said staff will be making recommendations on the use of that money, but council would have the final say on how the funding should be spent.
“There's still risk around the city's spend. So in that sense, at this juncture, I will say … looking to offset and swap (that out) to actually incorporate putting money back into the facilities reserve or some other reserve,” she said. “At the same time, it doesn't stop council from recommending that we grow the plan.”
📢 SOUND OFF: What would you like to see the city spend the money on? What do you think New Westminster's spending priorities should be? Share your thoughts — send us a letter.
