Community & User Group Budget Requests

The form will include the following information:

• Background information on the organization requesting support.
• Funding source of the proposed program and/or capital asset. This will include any grants from other organizations, fundraising raised to date and targets, other sponsors, and specific amounts to be provided by the Town.
• The proposed capital and annual operating budget, in detail.
• Information on the initiative such as services that are to be offered, target groups, are the services completing with other service groups or municipalities.
• Timeframes
• Letters of support from the requesting organization and any other partnering organizations.

Staff will be in contact to provide you with a General Committee meeting date. You can see the schedule of upcoming Council and Committee meetings on our meetings calendar. Deputations will typically be placed on a General Committee agenda. General Committee includes all members of Council.

For the 2025 budget, deputations were heard at the General Committee meeting on June 26, 2024.

Although the Town does receive donations of goods from time to time, the cost of accepting donations occurs over time. In many cases, costs must be incurred annually for general maintenance and the associated staff time. In addition, if the donated item is expected to be replaced in the future, the Town will need to set money aside each year in order to save for the eventual replacement.

For example: If the Town accepts a donation of a new carousel for River Mill Park that is worth $100,000 and is expected to be replaced in 10 years, the Town would need to increase the capital budget by $10,000 to ensure that in 10 years, the funds are available for the replacement. This would also increase the annual operating budget for costs such as hydro, seasonal opening/closing costs, operators for the ride, insurance, and on-going maintenance and repairs.

No; the Town does not accept non-commercial grade equipment. The Town’s equipment must be suitable to withstand constant and long-term use.

The Town has an exterior furniture sponsorship and dedication program which includes opportunities for the public to dedicate or sponsor a new bench or chair. The Town will not accept donations or furniture to preserve the aesthetics and ensure consistency in locations throughout the Town.

There are many factors that are considered when reviewing submissions, which include, but are not limited to:

• Staffing and timing impacts – Can this be done in the upcoming year given other previously approved projects? 
• Risk of vandalism – Is this a service or item that is susceptible to easy targeting of graffiti, being stolen, or damaged? 
• Replacement – How long will this initiative serve the Town before it needs to be replaced?  
  Risk management – Are there third party inspections or additional insurance required? 
  Maintenance – Is there adequate storage available and are there other annual costs that will increase operating budgets?

No; funds already set aside in capital reserves are to support the replacement of existing capital that the Town already owns and has in service.

No; this process is intended to provide community members and user groups the opportunity to request support for programs or services to be considered in the upcoming budget.

If approved by the Town, these requests would result in the Town having ownership of the assets and would be included in future budgets.

If you are looking for financial support for new recreation and cultural experiences, special events, and programs that provide benefit to the community, please visit the Community grants and supports page.