The City of North Battleford is moving forward with its application to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund.
A motion was passed in June authorizing the city to make the application. The motion carried on Monday was for the city to engage Eco-West to prepare an application on behalf of the city.
Eco-West’s offer was to complete the Green Municipal Fund application for $5,000. While it was explained by Director of Finance Steve Brown city administration could prepare the application on its own, it was noted Eco-West had knowledge of the program and the details needed, and also a relationship with FCM.
The application process is described as intensive and Brown said he had seen consulting firms charge $15,000 to $20,000 for the same work.
According to Brown, the purpose is to obtain funding for a feasibility study to reduce CO2 greenhouse gasses at city facilities. The CUPlex and the wastewater treatment plant were two facilities identified that could benefit.
Also, Brown confirmed that Gas Tax funding to the city can be matched by funds from FCM to conduct the feasibility application, so it will not come out of the tax bill for 2020.
Brown added that Gas Tax money would also be available for another application to FCM for more federal money to do the capital construction and retrofits.
The Gas Tax money is available until 2023, so there is time. Councillor Kent Lindgren, however, urged the city to move forward on the green efforts.
“I really hope we don’t lose the sense of urgency of getting this done,” Lindgren said. “I really feel this is a large sum of money that can really be put to good work in our city.”
Also part of the motion that carried Monday was for the city to apply for participation in FCM’s Partners for Climate Protection program. This is free to the City and provides information to municipalities on how to reduce greenhouse gases and act on climate change.
