Richard Froese
South Peace News

Changes have been proposed for hamlet recreation and culture funding in Big Lakes County.

At its regular meeting Feb. 14, council tabled a proposed policy to its next meeting Feb. 28.

“We have too many councillors away to discuss it now,” Reeve Ken Matthews says.

The draft policy introduces a scoring system to determine funding.

“We want to ensure a clear and fair process in grant applications and approvals,” says Heather Nanninga, director of corporate services.

“While administration is working on a comprehensive grants policy, we would like to implement changes to the hamlet recreation policy for the 2019 budget year as soon as possible. . .”

Proposed changes have been made by a review committee that comprises Enilda – Big Meadow Councillor Donald Bissell, Prairie Echo – Salt Prairie Councillor Dave Marx and Kinuso Councillor Ken Killeen.

Marx and Killeen were absent from the meeting.

The draft policy presents several new guidelines.

Council recognizes only one hamlet community organization will be eligible for hamlet funding, including the Enilda and District Society for Recreation and Culture, Faust Community League, Grouard Community Association, Joussard Community Association and Kinuso Community Association.

Funding would be based on population. Each application would be assessed on a scoring system of a maximum 100 points or per cent.

Identified hamlet community organizations that receive annual hamlet recreation operating grant allocations are not eligible for events and sponsorship grant funding, the policy proposes.

However, they are eligible for in-kind donations.