REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: December 1, 2020 Report No. FIN-20-021
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Ian Irvine, Director of Financial Services
SUBJECT:
Title
COVID-19 Safe Restart Grant for Local Governments
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council receive Staff Report No. FIN-20-021 for information.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Local Government Grant Regulation, s.36
Community Charter s.167
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
Build and Enhance Partnerships: work with governments, school districts and stakeholders to enhance relationships and advance issues impacting the community
BACKGROUND:
The federal and provincial governments recently announced the Canada-BC Safe Restart Agreement. The agreement consisted of several different funding programs to assist local governments with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. $425 million was announced for direct grants to support local government as they deal with increased operating costs and lower revenues due to COVID-19 and ensure local governments can continue to deliver the services that taxpayers depend on.
The Township has now received a grant of $3,538,000 which is conditional and targeted for COVID-19 related response, support, and recovery. The initial outline that was provided describes eligible expenditures including:
* addressing revenue shortfalls;
* facility reopening and operating costs;
* emergency planning and response costs;
* bylaw enforcement and protective services like fire protection and police;
* computer and other electronic technology costs;
* services for vulnerable persons; and
* other related costs.
The Ministry has indicated that the Township will be required to report on the use of the grant funds. This will be done through our annual financial statement reporting until all funds have been utilized. This requirement will be completed by staff starting with the 2020 financial statements.
Given the uncertainty of the short and long term impacts of COVID-19 on t...
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