ISLAND ART SHOWS: Exhibits from Kids and Adults PAGE 8
$1.50
inc. GST
THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2023
BAY WATCH
VOL. 48 NO. 11
BIUndercurrent
BowUndercurrent www.bowenislandundercurrent.com
Open House explores popular bay PAGE 3
Islands Trust passes nearly $10 million budget for upcoming year BOWEN ISLAND’S CONTRIBUTION TO ISLANDS TRUST RISES ALMOST 7 PER CENT FROM LAST YEAR ALEX KURIAL Editor
BUZZ OFF JUNIOR: There was only room for one bird of prey on this perch, leading to a brief discussion between the pair of avians regarding who would claim the spot. In the end it was the more senior of the two staying put, while the youngster set off for less occupied scenery. / Haig Farris photo
The provincial organization overseeing islands in the Salish Sea approved a budget just shy of eight figures for 2023/24. Islands Trust finalized the $9.7 million budget at their early March council meeting. It’s an approximate $600,000 increase from last year’s $9.1 million total. Most of this, $8.6 million, will go toward operations, with $651,296 designated for special projects and $134,300 to buy capital assets. External grants will cover $569,796, nearly six per cent of the budget. Last year’s $768,500 in grant money was a record for the organization. Bowen Island contributes to the Islands Trust budget annually through a municipal property tax levy. This year’s amount for the group’s lone municipality is $345,989, up from $323,769 in 2022/23. The additional $22,220 represents a 6.86 per cent jump, following a four per cent jump last year. While Bowen’s overall contribution is higher, much less of the total will be borne by island taxpayers this time around. Just 0.3 per cent of the rise will be levied against residents. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3