Smithers Council will meet this evening for their first sit-down of the month.
Council received a letter about the possibility of a “Rainbow Crosswalk,” similar to the ones already in Kelowna and Vancouver.
The author says the rainbow would do two things: it would represent the acceptance of the LGBTQ community, and encourage townspeople to show their “true colours.”
Council members will also discuss creating the “Small Business Task Force,” which it calls one of the Town’s “Strategic Priorities.”
The group would review the Town’s current small business processes and regulations, as well as make recommendations to improve community planning.
Council is looking for 5 local business people and a District Chamber member to create this task force.
Council will also discuss the following changes to their pay, as recommended by the Council Remuneration Review Committee:
“For 2016, the committee’s recommendations are as follows:
o Mayor’s stipend to be increased to $27,000 (currently $20,068)
o Deputy Mayor’s stipend to be increased to $15,000 (currently $10,033)
o councilor stipend to be increased to $13,500 (currently $9,407)
o Per diem rate of $125 per day to remain the same
o Mileage rate for use of own vehicle to be increased to the Canada Revenue Agency
(CRA) recommendation (currently $0.55 per kilometer; Smithers allowance is $0.52
per kilometer)
o Total annual expense allowance of $15,000 per annum for the Mayor and $5,500 per
councilor to increase in line with the consumer Price Index”
Council will be tonight at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers.