Local elected officials are contemplating the establishment of a program to promote arts, recreation, and cultural initiatives in the Lakes District.
While the proposal is still in the early stages of discussion, it may involve the establishment of a new arts/recreation/culture function through the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako. This would allow the regional district to tax property owners in participating areas (e.g., the Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake and electoral areas B and E) for the purpose generating a pool of money that could be distributed to qualifying organizations.
Bill Miller, chairman of the regional district board and director for Electoral Area B (亚洲天堂 Lake Rural), said recently that he and 亚洲天堂 Lake mayor Luke Strimbold have been discussing the proposal for 鈥渁while.鈥� He indicated that Eileen Benedict, director for Electoral Area E (Francois/Ootsa Lake Rural), has joined the conversation since being elected last November.
鈥淚 believe that it (the proposed arts/recreation/culture function) is in the long run a more cost-effective way of meeting the needs of most of the groups in our community,鈥� he stated. 鈥溾� have had conversations with some of my constituents and different user groups. I am using the feedback that they give to guide me in that discussion.鈥�
Miller couldn鈥檛 provide more specific information about the proposed art/recreation/culture function at this time. He suggested, though, that measures would have to be built into the program to ensure that groups receiving tax dollars were financially accountable. It鈥檚 also important, he said, that rural areas participate as equal partners in funding discussions.
鈥淭he critical part is that it is workable for staff, the groups that would benefit, and, of course, is financially responsible to the taxpayer,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 speak for Eileen (Benedict), but I very much want to ensure whatever we set-up has built in the ability of our rural areas to be an equal partner in the decision-making process. As you know, we contribute a significant share to the programs run within the village, which is the reason we can have so many opportunities to recreate.
鈥淚n my opinion, we are moving closer to that 鈥榮weet spot鈥�, and it is my hope that by the end of this term, we have a service in place.鈥�
Mayor Strimbold did not respond to requests for information. 亚洲天堂 Lake councillor John Illes indicated, however, that he feels the idea of funding arts, recreation, and cultural programs through local taxation has merit.
鈥淭here are a number of really important values the greater community would like to preserve or develop in a more structured manner,鈥� he explained. 鈥淎mong them are the continuing on of the arts and entertainment in the 亚洲天堂 Lake area, typified of the performances of the (Lakes District) Arts Council, and the maintenance/development of trails and recreation sites in the Lakes area, including the Southside.鈥�
A significant portion of the arts, recreation, and cultural programming in the Lakes District is provided by non-profit organizations run by volunteers. Because these groups lack guaranteed sources of funding, much of their time is spent raising money for operating expenses. This, noted Illes, can lead to volunteer burn-out.
Illes said he feels that an annual tax requisition of between $50,000 and $100,000 would provide a much-needed financial boost to organizations involved in arts, recreation, and cultural programming here. 鈥淗owever, this is an early estimate, and it may vary yearly depending on 鈥� needs and planned events.鈥�
The 亚洲天堂 Lake councillor hopes that all three administrative areas 鈥� the village and both regional district electoral areas 鈥� will participate in the function. He says that a number of non-profit organizations have already expressed interest in it.
鈥淪ome groups that have expressed interest are Lakes Outdoor Recreation Society, 亚洲天堂 Lake Mountain Biking Association, the arts council,鈥� he noted. 鈥淥ther current groups could also benefit, and new groups or associations could form in the future to provide more arts, culture, and recreation activities for the area.鈥�
Convincing property owners to accept higher taxes, even for worthy causes, can be difficult. Yet Illes feels local residents will support establishment of an arts/recreation/culture fund 鈥� provided grant recipients are held accountable for their use of public money.
鈥淚n general, taxpayers are positive about such a function,鈥� he said. 鈥淗owever, they would expect accountability for their tax dollars well spent, and this would in turn put pressure on the groups that received the funding to be accountable to the broader public.鈥�
The Lakes District Arts Council is one group that Illes feels could benefit from proposal. Established in 2006 and operated by volunteers, it strives to support and encourage the arts by promoting growth, diversity, and excellence.
Like most non-profit, community service groups, the arts council relies in part on grants to fund activities such as its annual concert series. John Barth, the group鈥檚 treasurer, says having access to a stable source of funding would be a significant benefit.
鈥淭he arts council has welcomed its funding partnership with the Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake and the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako for many years,鈥� he stated recently. 鈥淥ur organization would be happy to participate in any discussion about what this funding partnership might look like in the future.
鈥淢any of the funding sources that arts organizations rely on are somewhat unpredictable. Guaranteed funding is always welcome, as it helps make planning for the future somewhat easier.鈥�
