These past few weeks have been very busy for Council. At this time of the year we must finalize our budget. It takes time to deal with all of the revenue and expenditures that go into a budget of more than $25 million.
Our task is made easier this year by the effort our staff have put into budget preparation and by the efficiencies in our operations that staff have been able to realize over the past year. Those efficiencies resulted in a surplus for the 2010 budget year of approximately $1.7 million. That is a historic event for Squamish. It is an accomplishment that our staff can be very proud of and our community can be confident that their tax dollars are being used effectively.
Another historic event took place in Squamish last week. It has already been widely reported but the Intergovernmental Cooperation Accord signed between the District of Squamish and the Squamish Nation on March 8, 2011 represents a precedent-setting agreement between a municipality and a first nation. It has the potential to provide benefits to both the Squamish Nation and District of Squamish for generations to come.
This agreement is the first step to cooperation and partnerships between the Squamish Nation and District of Squamish in the areas of land development, servicing agreements for reserve lands, realization of economic potential on lands owned by the Squamish Nation and jointly held lands and the creation of a jointly owned community forest. It promises consultation on land use issues and infrastructure issues that affect both parties.
It also acknowledges that the Squamish Nation supports the proposed development of the Oceanfront lands. That will provide certainty for necessary regulatory approvals and financing in the course of that development. It also acknowledges the aspirations of the Squamish Nation to develop a portion of the Cheekye Fan and provides that, if that development proceeds, it will include a large park in the area of the Brackendale Farmers Institute Park. There is also the potential for the District of Squamish to be a part owner of that development and to realize profit for the benefit of the entire community.
The Intergovernmental Cooperation Accord could not have been accomplished without a great deal of effort by the mayor and council of the District of Squamish, the chief and council of the Squamish Nation and by our MLA, Joan McIntyre. It represents the strength of the relationship between our respective governments and, although it is only the first step, it bodes well for the future of our community.
