Project Updates and Newsworthy Items

2019-2023 Five Year Financial Plan and 2019 Budget

This year, Council is proposing a one-time 6.75% increase to the budget for 2019. The budget increase will allow us to maintain existing levels of services rather than cutting them while keeping up with the increasing costs of energy, labour, materials and general inflation (Consumer Price Index). We can also tackle a few operational and safety related projects that have lingered for many years.



We have developed a Budget Book that provides the 'big picture' and shows you where we've been and where Town Council intends to head over the next year. The document can be found on our website, in hard copy at Town Hall, and will be available at our upcoming open house.



Have your say and ask us questions about this proposed budget by attending our Budget Open House on January 29th, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at Town Hall. You can also come to one of our upcoming Council meetings on January 22nd at 1:15 p.m., February 5th at 7 p.m., or February 19th at 1:15 p.m., held in Council Chambers at Town Hall where a portion of the agenda will be open to questions and comments about our proposed budget.



Resort Municipality Initiative

A program started by the Province of British Columbia, the Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) helps resort communities develop greener, healthier, more sustainable resort municipalities that attract more visitors to British Columbia's resort communities, and entice them to stay longer. RMI is funded entirely by the Province, and not subject to taxation of local residents.  The Golden area has enjoyed over $2M of projects over the last 12 years of the program.



The RMI local advisory committee, composed of administrators of tourism invested organizations in the community, is currently in the midst of developing the next 3-year plan for RMI expenditures.



Cannabis retail sales in Golden

Council has approved a Corporate Policy on Applications from the Liquor & Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB). This policy outlines how Council will consider cannabis retail and certain liquor applications referred from the Province's LCRB including, application requirements, public input gathering method, and criteria Council may consider when evaluating an application.



Council also passed a bylaw that permits use of Cannabis Retail in the Mixed-Use Commercial C2 zone and the use of Cannabis Production to the Light Industrial M2 zone. In addition, Council also passed a bylaw to set license fees for cannabis retail and fees associated with LCRB applications.



Kicking Horse River Dike Improvement Project

We continue to work through higher level of government approvals for the proposed works and we expect that this year will be the year for shallow utilities to be relocated underground in the section of the dike from the Highway 95 Bridge and the Pedestrian Bridge.



Notice of Public Hearing

An application has been submitted to build duplex residences in the new Bear's Paw Heights development.



Town of Golden Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1409, 2019 - Bear's Paw Heights Duplex would amend the Zoning Bylaw to allow for 6 duplex lots in phase three of Bear's Paw Heights and 2 duplex lots in the next phase, as well as adjust duplex regulations in a number of residential zones that already permit them.



Anyone who considers themselves affected by the proposed application and wishes to register an opinion may do so by forwarding written submissions for Council consideration (attention of the Manager of Legislative Services) by post (P.O. Box 350, Golden B.C. V0A 1H0) or by email to viv.thoss@golden.ca (only emails sent to this email address will form part of the Council Agenda). Any submissions must be received by 12:00 pm (noon) on Thursday, January 24th, 2018.



You can also provide feedback by appearing before Council at the Public Hearing on Tuesday, January 29th, 2018 at 6:30 pm at the Town Hall Council Chambers.



Corporate Work Plan for 2019

Town administration is engaged in building our corporate work plan for 2019. This plan is based on our obligations to provide services to the community and the budget set out by Council.



Curbside Collection Services

Curbside collection is just one of the many services that the Town of Golden provides. The fee for these services is outlined in your annual utility bill. Our collection services include weekly garbage and bi-weekly recycling pickup, standardized town-owned bins, and a more comprehensive and less expensive recycling program than most cities have. Your annual fee also includes an annual contribution to a reserve fund for eventual bin replacements.



This year marks the last phase of distribution of the bear-resistant bins, ensuring that all Golden residents are outfitted with one. Costs will be covered through bin replacement reserves as the Town continues to contribute using the same structure as in past years.