File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Kamloops Council

Kamloops council shoots down $8,000 spend to help community groups meet winter needs

Nov 30, 2022 | 11:36 AM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops council has decided not to spend $8,000 of its contingency fund to boost community groups through the winter season.

At its regular meeting Tuesday (Nov. 29), Councillor Nancy Bepple’s motion specifying the money would go to groups who provide non-shelter services to children, youth, families and seniors was defeated 5-4.

Bepple proposed the funds be disbursed through the B.C. Interior Community Foundation.

“We have an opportunity to support some of the groups within our community who have consistently gone out and supported vulnerable members of our community,” said Bepple. “For me, it’s a way of supporting some of the community groups who, over the years, have gone above and beyond.”

“In the winter months, there are especially some needs that have to be met — whether it’s clothing or food or other services.”

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Council annually budgets itself a $30,000 contingency for special initiatives such as this. Bepple noted there remains a surplus in the fund for the 2022 budget year. If it goes unspent, the contingency fund returns to the city’s general coffers.

Councillor Mike O’Reilly spoke against the move, saying doling out sums of money in this way sets a dangerous precedent.

“If this were to pass today, we are going to get a significant amount of emails from multiple user groups throughout the community,” said O’Reilly. “What does $8,000 mean? Is that $8,000 worth of Patagonia jackets or is it $8,000 worth of blankets from Walmart? It’s just a number with no parameters set to what that number is. I really struggle with that.”

Councillor Dale Bass added she believes this initiative is coming up too close to the holiday season, when the speed of municipal business slows down.

“I just don’t see it having any serious impact immediately,” said Bass. “Nothing happens over Christmas except people freeze — and apparently we’re not talking about homelessness. Agencies shut down, all these people shut down — and even when we talk about bringing a person from social planning onto the adjudication committee, we’ve got to fit it all in.”