The cost to renovate the Parksville fire hall has gone up, city council learned at a recent financial planning committee of the whole meeting.
Preliminary estimates are “significantly higher” than the estimate included in the financial plan, director of finance Jedha Holmes reported to council on April 8.
Holmes did not have current information on exactly how much the estimate has increased, and added that number would not be available during the current amended financial plan process.
The cost to finish the second half of roof of the Parksville Civic and Technology (PCTC) is also going up.
“The estimate that was included in the financial plan was about $83,000 lower than the preliminary estimates are showing, so I’m suggesting we increase the cost estimate on that,” Holmes said.
Funding for that project can be taken from the PCTC reserve, she added, so there will be no resulting impact to property taxes. The other half was completed approximately three years ago.
The city received confirmation that two significant funding sources will continue.
The Local Government Climate Action Program Funding will continue for 2025 and 2026 for a total of $245,000, according to Holmes’ presentation.
Also renewed is the Canada Community Building Fund-Community Works Program, also known as the gas tax.
“It’s not being doubled, as was hoped, at this point anyway, but it is being continued at a similar level to what it was previously,” Holmes said.
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The city will receive approximately $676,000 from that funding source in 2024.
Holmes said gas tax funding eligibility has expanded over time to include projects such as fire halls.
“When it first came out more than 10 years ago, it was very directed at green infrastructure and over the years it’s seen more and more projects,” she said.
Coun. Sean Wood said the announcement was “exciting news” – even if council had hoped the gas tax amount would be doubled.
“At this point we probably want to be thankful for just even this,” he said. “I think we will see a little but of expansion on what we can spend it on, particularly with regards to perhaps the fire department.”
Holmes suggested both could be transferred to the city’s reserves for now until more information is available on upcoming master plan projects and further understanding of reporting requirements.
Council will revisit recommendations made during the committee of the whole meeting and have an opportunity to vote at its regular meeting on April 15 and special council meeting on April 29.
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