(Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

City Hall

Kamloops council approves $40M ‘safety net’

Mar 10, 2026 | 6:27 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops council has approved a new bylaw that would allow staff to borrow up to $40 million to pay the bills.

But Revenue Manager Lewis Hill told council Tuesday (March 10) the short-term borrowing bylaw is meant as a fail-safe in case the city’s coffers get uncomfortably low.

“It is just a safety net. It is a line of credit,” said Hill. “I am not expecting to borrow $40 million.”

The delays to a series of alternative approval processes (AAPs) set forward by council – which would see certain major projects funded through debt – are having a major impact to the cash situation at City Hall.

Those include the Tranquille sewer main replacement ($9 million) – already underway – and the property purchase at McMaster Way ($16.75 million) – already completed – that had to be funded through alternative sources while the borrowing approval is in limbo.

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“We have, as administration, been asked to have certain project done and we’ve done them,” noted Hill. “Unfortunately, the borrowing hasn’t followed quickly at that time, so we’ve paid the money out of the operations at this point. It needs to be covered by debt, which is what council asked us to do.”