FRASER VALLEY REGIONAL LIBRARY

Headguurters: 38589 Delalr Road, Abbotsford, British Columbia V25 SY1 = (608) 859-7041
May 14, 1990

The Honourable Lyall: Hanson

Minister of Municipal Affairs, Recreation
and Culture |

Province of British Columbia

Parliament Buildings

Victoria, B.C. V8 1X4

Dear Mr. Hanson:

The Board of Management of the Fraser Valley Regional Library has asked me to
inform you that the municipal councils and school boards have been unable to
reach agreement under Section 36(2) of the Library Act and are accordingly
referring to you for a decision the ratio of money chargeable to the
respective municipalities and schoo! districts for the fiscal year 1991.

In 1989, following a consultant’s study, the Fraser Valley Regional Library
Board proposed a new funding formula based on 50% lagged actual assessment and
50% population with no caps.

While the Library Board accepted the consultant's formula it did not agree
with the use of weighted assessments. The reason for the Library Board’s
recommendation was:

1. Lagged assessment values (1.e. from the previous year) must be used, as
the authenticated current values are not available in time for budget
preparation and approval.

Actual assessment rather than weighted assessment brings more members
closer to the average per capita.

Use of Weighted Assessment would require the setting of weights. This
could be complex and of itself may lead to some disagreement among
members .

As the municipalities and school districts could not reach a unanimous
agreement on the proposed formula change, 15 were in favour and 4 opposed, the
matter was referred to the Honourable Rita 4. Johnston, Minister of Municipal
Affairs, Recreation & Culture for a decision, The Minister ruled with the
majority of members in supporting the Library Board recommendation. :

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