Radium continued to boom with almost $33M in new construction, representing a 61% increase over the previous year. This growth was primarily in the second home owner market with only minor increases occurring in permanent population. Commercial construction values totaled $1.2M, a 118% increase over the previous year. The municipality completed a review of projected growth in relation to water and sewer capacity and we have planned phased expansions to meet expected demands. Modest development cost charges were implemented so that new development would finance these capital projects. Growth continued to place pressures on staff, who have focused on delivering core services.

The Village partnered with the Radium Chamber of Commerce to access ‘additional hotel tax’ and ‘resort municipality initiative’ funding under a five year program worth $1.4M. These monies will provide resort enhancements like improved tourism marketing, festivals and events, a local shuttle service, and a higher level of care and beautification within Village parks and streetscapes.

Our water and sewer treatment facilities operated within normal parameters in 2007, with all water samples testing pure. The first phase of our water treatment capacity expansion was initiated with construction of our new reservoir largely completed.

The following summarizes progress made achieving our objectives:

1. The new treated water storage reservoir was built and installation of the ultraviolet treatment facility will occur early in 2008.

2. Individual home owners paid the same in municipal taxes as in 2006, despite assessments that increased by an average of 22%.

3. The Sinclair Creek Trail interpretive panels were fabricated in 2007 with installation and trail completion planned for 2008.

4. Discussion on columbarium development continued with the Roman Catholic Parish and Bishop with agreement being reached on the area to be subdivided. Legal agreements regarding the transfer of land were drafted. These agreements need to be ratified in 2008, before application to the Province for permits allowing construction to proceed.

5. Canfor confirmed withdrawal of their offer of land for construction of a fire hall. As such, the Village will investigate a land purchase in 2008 with possible construction in 2009.

6. The $400,000 ‘Towns for Tomorrow’ grant application for construction of a new library was unsuccessful. This led to consideration of alternatives for housing the library. In 2008, space was leased along Main Street with renovations donated by the Instautor Group.

8. A Development Cost Charges bylaw was developed with final adoption early in 2008. These charges are levied on new development and are intended to finance the capital costs of water and sewer treatment capacity improvements required to service this new development. Combined water and sewer charges are $4,642.87 for single family dwellings down to $3,571.43 for apartment dwelling.

9. The Ministry of Transportation confirmed process and cost sharing for the planned Highway 93 ‘strip’ development and beautification. Design and possible construction will occur in 2008.

10. Development of the Community Wildfire Plan continued in 2007 with the draft review and public consultation occurring in 2008. The plan will be implemented early in the 2008 fire season.

11. Transfer of ‘Additional Hotel Tax’ and ‘Resort Municipality Initiative’ funds began in 2007 under a partnership with the Radium Chamber of Commerce. This funding is under a five year agreement estimated at $1.4M. These monies will provide resort enhancements like improved tourism marketing, Visitor information staffing, festivals and events, Bighorn Sheep resting structures, a local shuttle service, and a higher level of litter pick-up and maintenance within Village parks and streetscapes.

1. Maintain 2007 levels of taxation.

2. Implement the first year of programs under the Additional Hotel Room Tax and Resort Municipality Initiative funding programs.

3. Initiate engineering for the growth related sewer treatment system improvements.

4. Complete subdivision of land for the columbarium, formulate an operations agreement with the Roman Catholic Parish, apply for a certificate of Public Interest and finalize construction design and costing. Initiate construction, if possible.

5. Purchase land for a new Fire Hall and initiate engineering, design and construction cost estimates.

6. Undertake beautification of the Highway 93 ‘strip’.

7. Install and activate the ultraviolet light water treatment facility.

1. Maintain 2008 levels of taxation.

2. Construct the phase one sewer treatment system improvements if capacity is becoming an issue.

3. Complete construction of the columbarium.

4. Schedule and initiate an Official Community Plan review.

The Community Charter allows Council to exempt certain classes of property from municipal taxation. Examples include lands held by charitable, philanthropic and not for profit corporations.

In our case, the Village provided an exemption for the church building and municipal parking lot on the lands owned by the Roman Catholic Church. This exemption was provided under Bylaw No. 339, 2007.

The amount of municipal taxes that would have been imposed on this property, if not for the exemption, would have been $4,812.71.

The Community Charter details conditions under which a municipal councillor may be disqualified from holding office. No councilor was disqualified in 2007 nor were any applications for disqualification made.