The District of 100 Mile House has adopted Cemetery Bylaw Amendment no.1428 which will see cemetery plot rates rise.
The decision was made during the regular council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 10. Director of Finance Sheena Elias stated to council that the funeral homes have been made aware of the new rates and have already begun talking to their clients quoting the new rates.
The District of 100 Mile House operates one cemetery.
Property Tax Exemption
Council also received a report regarding the proposed property tax exemption bylaw.
The report, presented by Elias, stated that the tax exemption is a means for council to "support organizations within the community which further council's objectives of enhancing quality of life (economic, social, cultural) and delivering services economically." She also provided information on the applications received and a request for confirmation of the exemptions to be included in the 2025-2029 Tax Exemption Bylaw.
Organizations which submitted their application and met the criteria to be included include the 100 Mile Nordic Ski Society and the Canadian Red Cross.
However, for the third time, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 260 was not included - having previously been denied in 2011 and 2023. Council has said in the past the Legion does not qualify as its bar is open to the public and is in competition with other bars in the community.
Council chose to send a letter back to the Legion explaining the rejection and suggested that they apply for a grant instead.
Asset disposal
Council rejected a $5,000 bid to purchase their 1996 Freightliner FL80 Pumper firetruck.
Elias told council on Tuesday that staff were not satisfied with the bid and didn't believe it was an appropriate value for the truck. She noted that the truck has not been used that much and still has many years left.
The person who made the bid, Luc Blaquiere, attended the meeting and gave his reason for trying to buy the fire truck. Blaquiere, who lives in the Thorsteinson Subdivision off of Canim Hendrix Road, said he wanted to buy the truck due to his concerns about the long response time of local fire departments.
BCDragIt requests use of airstrip
BCDragit organizers Mark and Dianne Boutilier sent a letter to council requesting the use of 100 Mile Air Strip for the BCDragit Challenge 2025.
Council received the letter on Sept. 10 which requested the use of both the airstrip and the washrooms and parking lot of the South Cariboo Rec Centre. While discussing the request council suggested to the Boutiliers, who also attended the meeting in person, that they appoint someone who could clean up garbage left behind by the event, which was an issue during the BCDragit Challenge 2024.
Mayor Maureen Pinkney said council would give an answer at a later date, noting there may be some fees and that they wanted to triple-check the request with staff first.
