Corporal Paul Britton gave a quarterly report on RCMP activities in the area.
Officers recently completed some extra training, including courses on traffic investigation, computer crime, T7 use (latest version of tasers), and 40 mm rubber bullets.
In 2024, there were 124 property crimes – 136 in 2023, and 119 in 2022. Property crimes include theft, break and enters, vandalism, and mischief. Corporal Britton said property crimes are one of the biggest complaints in the Village.
There were 66 violent crimes in 2024, up from 61 in 2023, and 59 in 2022. Britton said this will ebb and flow as people move to, pass through, and leave the Village, but overall Nakusp is in “good shape.” This category includes robberies, assaults, threats, homicides, and sexual assaults.
In 2024, the RCMP clocked nine traffic crimes, down from 17 in 2023, and 20 in 2022. BC Highway Patrol has been in Nakusp four times in the last six months, issuing over 30 tickets or warnings. Traffic offences become a criminal matter – not just a ticket – when someone drives drunk, dangerously, or without a licence.
Nakusp has a “bottom feeder” drug market, said Britton: addicts who sell to support their habits. He said it’s hard to stamp out because as soon as one is removed, another takes their place. Britton said he’d like to see a higher statistic – it’s been a downward trend from three crimes in 2022 – because that would mean more drugs are being seized.
Britton said the detachment is focusing on suppression of habitual offenders; a very small minority of individuals are committing the vast majority of crimes. One tactic is checking on those with court order release conditions.
Constable Mike Moore is transferring out of the Nakusp detachment, but Britton said they are working on getting his replacement.
Budget and tax rate bylaws
Council gave three readings to the 2025-2029 financial plan and 2025 tax rate bylaws.
Village tax rates are set to rise by 6.71%, or about a $74.32 increase for the average single-family dwelling.
The Village also collects taxes for other governments, including the RDCK and West Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital District. RDCK taxes will rise by 6.85% (an increase of $40.59 for an average single-family dwelling), and hospital taxes by 5.97% ($3.92).
In the five-year financial plan, a 7.5% tax increase is budgeted for 2026, 6% in 2027, 5.5% in 2028, and 3% in 2029. This covers inflation and contributions to reserves.
Traffic, street, sidewalk control
Council gave third reading to amendments to the traffic, street, and sidewalk control bylaw.
One notable update is a speed limit reduction to 40 km/hr village-wide – except along Broadway Street, where it’s 30 km/hr, and on alleys, where it’s 20 km/hr. Another update is a two-hour parking limit on Broadway Street between Nelson Avenue and 8th Avenue, from 8 am to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday.
Since second reading on March 24, the Village incorporated feedback from the RCMP and Ministry of Transportation and Transit. Feedback includes naming the RCMP specifically in the bylaw, and updating definitions to differentiate between Village-owned highways, Ministry of Transportation-owned highways, and Transit-owned highways.
Accessibility grant
The Village will apply for funding of up to $25,000 to remove barriers for persons with disabilities. Mayor Tom Zeleznik made the motion, after noticing the opportunity in Interior Health’s ‘Healthy Communities Newsletter,’ which was included in the agenda. The funding is available through the Local Community Accessibility Grant program, administered by the Social Planning and Research Council of BC (SPARC BC).
Youth baseball association
Arrow Lakes Youth Baseball Association was granted use of Kathy Pederson Park – including the ball diamonds, washrooms, dugouts, and storage sheds – from April 29 to June 10 for $19.23 per hour.
Council also passed a motion for staff to enter this hourly rate into the next fees and charges bylaw update.
Audit presentation
Ashley Ruggiero of Doane Grant Thornton LLP gave a report to council on the results of the 2024 audit. Ruggiero said the Village is in good financial standing. She thanked Director of Finance Mark Tennant, and his team, for providing good financial reporting.
“It was very helpful and makes our lives easier,” she said.
