Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter

At regular meeting on Dec. 10, Northern Sunrise County council approved amendments to its Community Halls Support Policy.

“There have been instances where the information being provided is not clear or adequate and deadlines not being adhered to,” explains Reeve Corinna Williams.

“Each community hall can apply for funding from council annually,” she adds.

“Amounts vary year to year as to what they are requesting.”

Administration drafted amendments to address failure of community halls to provide complete donation requests by deadline, to address follow-up questions from administration, to provide submission of event receipts requested by administration, and various other concerns.

“Deadline to apply for support is Aug. 1 each year,” says Williams.

“It takes time to go through the applications from each hall and to ensure that information is accurate and sufficient, and the asks are included in the council’s first review of budget, which is usually in late October or early November.”

Changes to the policy are taking place immediately, all the changes expected to help clarify some of the issues that needed to be addressed.

“The policy was updated to allow administration and council additional processes to request documentation and ensure the grants are being used appropriately,” Williams notes.

“Annually, each hall is provided $5,000 to assist with utilities and $4,500 (if fully expended) for repairs and maintenance. Council usually provides sponsorship for at least one event for each hall. The other requests vary by what is needed by each hall.”

Other changes to the policy include: if the cost of the event is less than the amount included in the budget, only that amount will be dispersed; if the cost of the event is higher than the amount included in the budget, only the budgeted amount will be dispersed; misrepresentation or misuse of County funds will result in funds not being included in the following year’s budget at council’s discretion; and council removed fourth clause under ‘Replacement Capital’ regarding items purchased or donated to the applicant being added to asset management plan.