The Chilliwack
Progress Thursday
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Fundraiser helps kids get into sports.
Hydro rate hike trimmed for 2013
Chilliwack Metropolitan Orchestra spring concert.
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Clerical error delays district budget approval Katie Bartel The Progress A clerical error had the school district starting over with its 2012-13 budget approval process at Tuesday night’s school board meeting. Chilliwack trustees were advised by staff to rescind all motions presented at the May 8 board of education meeting and start anew. “This really is a Murphy’s Law budget,” said secretary treasurer Maureen Carradice. “It was well and truly a clerical error and some miscommunications between our staff and the trustees.” The error, which was spotted by one of the local newspapers, had $2.4 million allocated under the estimated salary costs when it should have been allocated to support staff costs. As well, there was a typographical error in the budget’s total amount in the May 8 motions that were presented. “The bottom line reality of this whole situation is this, we have quite a number of people at the senior level of this organization in new roles... we’ve also been quite short staffed through most of the year,” said Carradice, who has been doing double duty as secretary treasurer and director of human resources for the past year. “So the truth is, we didn’t proofread the documents as well as we probably should have.” The positive that came out of the situation when corrected, however, revealed that despite an estimated increase of three full-time equivalent teachers for the next school year there will be a $2.1 million reduction in teacher salary and benefit costs. The reason is due to teachers at the high-end pay scale retiring and being replaced by entry level teachers. Continued: BUDGET/ p15
Chris Byra chaired the steering committee that drafted the new Agriculture Area Plan. JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS
Ag area plan reflects Chilliwack’s roots Jennifer Feinberg The Progress There may always be some sort of urban/ rural divide when it comes to farming in Chilliwack. But the city is on a path to becoming “a centre of excellence” for agriculture under a new Agriculture Area Plan, with a keen emphasis on education, best practices and sustainability. “This is a land-use plan to support agriculture, but it’s also looking at the urban/rural divide,” said Chris Byra, a local veterinarian who chaired the plan’s steering committee. Contained in the plan are strategies to address some of challenges, ways to support land-use planning and the long-term sustainability of the agricultural industry. The plan’s preamble makes it clear what a
critical economic engine the ag sector represents in Chilliwack, with 800 farms providing more than 4,500 jobs and generating $600 million in economic activity. “The plan provides a strong map of what the agricultural community is all about, and a good steering document for the future,” said CEPCO president John Jansen. “It inventories the requirements of agriculture, along with demonstrating its impact.” Drafted under the leadership of the Chilliwack Agricultural Commission, and with input from stakeholders, the plan was first presented to council in March. Council approved introduction and first reading of the text amendment to include the ag plan in the OCP last Tuesday. One of the long-term goals is to help make the agricultural industry become increasingly
progressive. The ag landscape in Chilliwack is dominated by dairy, poultry, nursery and greenhouse producers, and 67 per cent of the land base is located with the Agricultural Land Reserve. “Chilliwack will become a centre of excellence in agriculture focusing on industry innovation and sustainability and emphasizing education, communication, conservation, and environmental responsibility,” reads a section of the plan. “The agricultural industry will become increasingly progressive.” The plan looks at the interface irritants like noise, dust and odours, and recommends solutions within a timeline, as well as the potential opportunities and new partnerships arising. The vision includes stronger working relationships between city representatives, Continued: AG/ p6
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