Referendum Plannedon Value-Added Financing

S E C H E L T ’ S W A S T E W A T E R T R E A T M E N T F A C I L I T Y

Construction on the Wastewater Treatment Facility is 35% complete. Construction is on schedule and under budget. This view shows the start of the main floor of the facility, near where the public entrance will be located. CONTIN

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SECHELT HAS ANNOUNCED PLANS for a referendum on a funding option for our Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF).

This new option, a non-repayable grant of up to $1 million, is from the Green Mu-nicipalities Fund (GMF) and includes a loan of up to $7.4 million. This could save our community money on the construction of our new $25 million state-of-the-art facility & help maintain Sechelt’s financial stability.

A referendum is required due to the dol-lar amounts and the 10-year repayment term of the potential GMF loan. Referen-dum details, including the date, are await-ing Provincial approval and will be an-nounced as they become available.

Sechelt already has a confirmed plan in place to fund the construction of the

WWTF without the GMF financing. Con-struction is well underway and on schedule. The facility will be operating by October 2014, and will provide our area with waste-water treatment that meets the highest standards set by the Province.

Sechelt was aware of the potential of GMF funding when developing its original plan to pay for the project. The GMF offer of a grant and a loan was received in Octo-ber 2013. After examination of the financial

and other benefits accessing this assistance would provide, District staff recommended to Council to hold a referendum to autho-rize acceptance of the GMF financing offer.

“The non-repayable grant and loan would allow Sechelt to retain up to $5.9 million in our financial reserves to meet future needs. Sechelt has traditionally focused on maintaining strong financial reserves. The GMF funding option for the WWTF, the largest capital project the Dis-trict has undertaken, would allow us to continue this focus and give us the additional resources to undertake new capital projects or meet

“The cost of GMF financing is consid-erably lower than what is available from other sources. Accessing this opportu-nity makes the most prudent use of the resources available to us.”

- Victor Mema, Sechelt’s Chief Financial Officer

Fast Facts...Will the WWTF project require an increase in property taxes or sewer user fees?No. The District generates sufficient funds to repay the proposed GMF loan through the annual sewer user fees. This fee is collected only from properties that are connected to the sewer system. No increase in this fee is required to fund the GMF loan repayment. There will be no increase in property taxes or use of other tax revenues to pay for the WWTF project.

For more details on the current funding plan and GMF funding option see page 2. Also, a complete list of Frequently Asked Questions is available by scanning this QR Code or visiting www.Sechelt.ca

Community Newsletter - January 2014

The Funding Options...

Seeking Volunteers Steering Committee...for Sechelt is starting the process to pre-

pare a plan for the future of the half-hectare site on Ebbtide Street, adjacent to the new Wastewater Treatment Facility and Sechelt Marsh. A Steering Committee of six individuals as well as representatives from the Sunshine Coast Natural History Society, who manage Sechelt Marsh, is being convened to provide input to the District.

Volunteers interested in parks, recre-ation and neighbourhood planning are being sought to join the Steering Com-mittee. This group will meet a number of times over the next three months to discuss and develop concepts. The recom-mendations will be brought forward for review and input from the general public. Thereafter, concepts for park develop-ment will be presented to Council for consideration.

Interested individuals are encouraged to forward an expression of interest to Ray Parfitt, Director of Planning, (rparfitt@Sechelt.ca) by January 31, 2014. Please include your name, contact details and a brief summary of your background, highlighting your experience, training and/or interest in the areas of community and recreation planning.

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other needs of our community,” said Ron Buchhorn, Sechelt’s Chief of Innovation and Growth.

“The cost of GMF financing is considerably lower than what is available from other sources. Accessing this opportunity makes the most prudent use of the resources available to us. We want our community to be aware of and support us in bringing both the financial benefits and the national recognition that support from the GMF will provide to Sechelt,” said Victor Mema, Sechelt’s Chief Financial Officer.

Residents are encouraged to review informa-tion about the project and the funding option posted on www.Sechelt.ca. The first public in-formation session will be held on February 11th at 7pm in the Seaside Centre. The next public tour of the WWTF site is scheduled for 10am on January 31st.

To register to attend an information session or tour email info@Sechelt.ca or call the District of Sechelt Office at (604) 885-1986.

8,000,0003,200,000

1,680,000

2,225,0001,488,0000

0

1,000,0007,400,000

24,993,000

How would the GMF funding option impact the cost of building the WWTF?

It will save the District money. The GMF funding includes a $1 million non-repayable grant. The GMF loan amount is at a below market interest rate, (likely 2.25%) that is guaranteed for the 10 year term. The lower interest rate means lower repayment costs. Also, the GMF loan will allow the District to retain more funds in surplus and reserves. These funds reduce the need to borrow to fund future projects and earn interest income for the District.

For more information visit www.Sechelt.ca, attend an information session on Feb. 11th at 7pm in the Seaside Centre or scan the QR Code on page 1.

FEDERAL & PROVINCIAL GRANTSGas Tax Innovation FundBuilding Canada Fund

OTHER FUNDING SOURCESechelt Indian Band/SIGD

DISTRICT OF SECHELT SOURCESSewer ReservesSewer Treatment DCCsUnrestricted Surplus

SHORT TERM FINANCING

GMF FUNDINGGMF Non-Repayable GrantGMF Loan

TOTAL COST OF THE PROJECT

EXISTING PLAN GMF FUNDING

8,000,0003,200,000

1,680,000

4,875,0002,238,0002,500,000

2,500,000

00

24,993,000

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Annual Budget & Financial Plan...

Project Highlights...With the adoption of the 2014-2018 Financial

Plan, Sechelt is ready to move forward with its 2014 capital projects and operating plans fo-cused on a proactive approach to making Sech-elt an even better place to live and visit.

Strong Financial PositionOverall, the financial position of the District

remains similar to 2013. In 2014, 60% of the District’s revenue will continue to come from property taxes, 93% of which is generated by residential taxpayers. The 2014 budget con-templates no increases in property tax revenue. “Council endorsed a plan that maintains services and funding for community projects, without the need to ask our taxpayers for more money,” said Mayor John R. Henderson. While property assessments may change due to market fluc-tuations, Sechelt will seek to collect revenue through property taxes equal to the 2013 levels.

38 Projects Planned for 2014A capital budget of $20.2 million is planned

for 2014. This budget consists of 38 initiatives, including community infrastructure projects, service improvements and cost-saving mea-sures. Seven projects are continuing from the 2013 approved capital budget. Two are new projects that will start in 2014 and be completed in future years. 29 projects will be started and completed in 2014.

Full details of the capital projects are available on www.Sechelt.ca. Also, watch for postings and Twitter messages on the scheduling and other details related to construction projects through-out the community.

As you can see, it’s going to be a busy and exciting year in Sechelt. To learn more, get involved and submit your feedback, please visit the District’s website where complete versions of the Annual Plan and Budgets can be found under the Financial Information heading in the Document library: www.Sechelt.ca

Continuing upgrades to side-walks and roadways are planned throughout the District. The completion of the Nickerson side-walk and pedestrian safety upgrades in December (see photo) is an ex-ample of how upcoming projects will address community needs and requests. In early 2014, West Sech-elt will also see improvements to Norwest Bay between Mason and Wakefield. Projects such as these are examples of the District’s focus on making improvements to pedestrian safety and accessibility in 2014.

Planning for revitalization projects in downtown Sechelt is under-way. Combining these efforts with a new look for Sechelt’s “Gateway”, upgrades to Trail Avenue’s beach ac-cess and improvements to a variety of roads throughout the District will help make Sechelt more attractive and provide easier access to our Trail Bay waterfront and other amenities.

The opening of our new wastewa-ter treatment facility in October, along with improvements to the area adjacent to it. The District is currently seeking volunteers to serve on the Ebbtide Park Steering Com-mittee. If you’d like to be a part of the planning and implementation process for this new public space, please visit www.Sechelt.ca.

Davis Bay Wharf is slated to re-ceive a much needed upgrade. The District has committed $100,000 towards the project and has re-cently secured a commitment from the Island Coastal Economic Trust for $150,000. Various community groups are also working hard to source funding for the remainder of the project’s budget. Com-munity support is needed. For ways you can help and for more information visit www.DavisBayWharf.com

Event Calendar...

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29Public Hearing - Target Marine Hatcheries7:00 pm in the Community Meeting Room in the Library Building

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30Airport Development Advisory Committee Meeting10:30 am in the Conference Room at the Municipal Office

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15Referendum Information Table10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Trail Bay Centre Mall

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5Regular Council Meeting7:00 pm in the Community Meeting Room in the Library Building

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7Burnett Falls Park Opening1:00 pm meet at the intersection of Burnett Rd & East Porpoise Bay Rd

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12Committee of the Whole Meeting1:00 pm in the Community Meeting Room in the Library Building

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13Airport Development Advisory Committee Meeting10:30 am in the Conference Room at the Municipal Office

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14Finance Advisory Committee Meeting10:00 am in the Community Meeting Room in the Library Building

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11Referendum Information Session7:00 pm at the Seaside Centre

Upcoming District events and meetings .

District Dialogue...A monthly question to our readers.

“The District will be engaging the community over the coming months about the future development of a park on the property adjacent to the WWTF site. What would you like to see included?”

We welcome your comments regarding this month’s question. Please respond via the mailing address below or by email to DistrictDialogue@Sechelt.ca Your feedback is impor-tant to us. Thank you in advance for your an-swers and comments.

On behalf of Council, I want to express my thanks to our District team. Their commitment and dedica-tion continues to be extraordinary. Thanks to their efforts, Council adopted the 2014 Budget last week – several months earlier than in previous years. Also, the team’s hard work has provided the citizens of Sechelt with the option of accepting the Green Mu-nicipalities Fund grant and loan package to help fund our Wastewater Treatment Facility.

Council joins me in wishing Sechelt residents and visitors, alike, all the best for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2014! The year is shaping up to be a great one for Sechelt! Sincerely, John R. Henderson, Mayor

Mayor & Council...

District Of Sechelt @SecheltBC

Office: Second Floor, 5797 Cowrie Street, Sechelt BC | Mailing Address: PO Box 129, Sechelt BC V0N 3A0

phone: +1-604-885-1986 | fax: +1-604-885-7591 | email: info@Sechelt.caSTAY IN

www.Sechelt.caTouch