Williams Lake saw growth in 2024, issuing 122 buildings permits and 115 new business licences, an increase of 90 building permits over 2023.
These are just some of the highlights of the city's 2024 annual report Mayor Surinderpal Rathor's mentioned in his mayor's message in the report.
With major construction projects in the city including the expansion of Glen Arbor seniors housing and the new Cariboo Memorial Hospital project, there was a lot to celebrate, said Rathor. The report was presented and received by the city at their June 24 regular meeting at city hall.
"This council has not borrowed a single penny," said Rathor at the meeting. "We're cutting down our debt, we have paid off one of our bylaw debt."
Rathor gave credit to his fellow council members and city staff.
Gary Muraca, chief administrative officer for the city also highlighted the city's positive financial position for 2024, with a reported $8.1 million surplus. Muraca said this sets the city up for a potential early debt repayment, with $4.79 million in debt remaining on the city's books from past projects.
Muraca also highlighted the long-term savings potential of the current council's decision to provide a focus on asset management.
"Williams Lake will see long-term benefits and cost savings with this commitment, including cost optimization, asset performance, risk reduction and increased efficiency," wrote Muraca.
At the council meeting, Rathor said he's happy with how things have gone during this council's tenure, but admitted the city still has work to do and said he welcomes healthy criticism, but asked the public to be respectful as he offered members of the public a chance to get up and comment.
John Pickford got up to speak and introduced himself as a "35-year resident, 35-year happy taxpayer of Williams Lake."
He asked some specific questions regarding the city's financials, but with Vitali Kozubenko, chief financial officer for the city away, some of Pickford's questions were recorded and he would have to wait for a response.
He then made a few suggestions, including that the city consider the credit union as a possible financial service provider and to look at getting rid of the revitalization tax exemptions.
"I'm subsidizing corporations getting this tax exemption," he said, adding he considers them of "dubious" value to the community and calling it "corporate welfare."
The city has a revitalization tax exemption program, which can provide five years of tax exemption for property owners who apply and are approved by the city for investments of more than $20,000.
The report lists nine revitalization tax exemptions worth a total $272,272 in annual taxes to the city.
Rathor said he did not believe the current council had agreed to any revitalization tax exemptions during their term so far, and said they had to abide by previous council's decisions once those were agreed to.
Pickford applauded the council and staff for their transparency and courtesy in dealing with his inquiries and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to speak each year.
"I don't take democracy for granted," he said.
The 2024 Williams Lake annual report was approved by council with one amendment to be made.
Cariboo Regional District Regional (CRD) Director for Area D Steve Forseth, suggested one clarification. In a section of the report which includes an explanation of what different levels of government deal with, it attributes regional parks and recreation to the regional district level.
Forseth said the CRD has had discussions around this, but has not agreed to be responsible for regional parks and recreation at this point.
He then thanked the current council for the working relationship they have with the CRD.
