REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: March 23, 2022 Report No. FIN-22-005
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Ian Irvine, Director of Financial Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Local Grant - Esquimalt High School Athletics
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council direct staff to issue a payment in the amount of $2,750 to Esquimalt High School to support its athletic program expenditures as outlined in the application attached to Staff Report FIN-22-005.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Council Policy FIN-19 Local Grants - Esquimalt High School
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
This request does not directly relate to any specific strategic priority or objective.
BACKGROUND:
Each year, pursuant to Council Policy FIN-19 Local Grants - Esquimalt High School, the distribution of local grant funding to Esquimalt High School is considered. At its meeting on February 2, 2022, Council approved an initial distribution of the 2022 Local Grant budget, which included funding of up to $2,750 for the Esquimalt High School’s athletics programs. Typically, these funds are to be used to assist senior athletic teams with travel costs related to tournaments and competitions.
The Council Policy requires school representatives to appear before Council to formally request the approval and release of the funds. An application was recently submitted by a representative from Esquimalt High School requesting the amount of $2,750 in local grant funding allocated within the Council Policy.
A copy of the local grant application and the Council Policy have been included for your reference.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
As part of the 2022 Local Grants approved by Council, an amount of $2,750 was allocated for the Esquimalt High School athletics program pending the receipt of a formal application as required by Council Policy FIN-19 Local Grants - Esquimalt High School. The Council Policy specifies that the athletics funding is intended to assist with travel and other related costs for senior athletics teams. During the past two years, all competitions and related travel were cancelled however, this year a full 10-month athletics program schedule is being planned.
2. Organizational Implications
There are no organizational implications of this decision.
3. Financial Implications
Within the 2022 draft financial plan, an amount of $2,750 has been allocated and available for distribution. If not expended, any remaining amount would be transferred to accumulated surplus at the end of the fiscal year.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
There are no sustainability or environmental implications of this decision.
5. Communication & Engagement
Staff will issue any approved payment and will provide a formal notification letter to Esquimalt High School.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That Council direct staff to issue a payment in the amount of $2,750 to Esquimalt High School to support its athletic program expenditures as outlined in the application attached to Staff Report FIN-22-005.
2. That Council direct staff to issue a payment for an amount less than the $2,750 included in Council Policy FIN-19 Local Grants.