PRRD to annually contribute $1,500 to Pouce Coupe Riverview Cemetery for operations and maintenance costs

POUCE COUPE, B.C. — The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) will be contributing $1,500 annually to the Pouce Coupe Riverview Cemetery toward operations and maintenance costs.

At the July 23 PRRD board meeting, the board approved a recommendation to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Village of Pouce Coupe for a five-year term, with the Village contributing $1,500. 

In addition, the board chair and chief administrative officer will be authorized to sign the memorandum on behalf of the PRRD. 

The report said the regional district has provided Electoral Area D Cemetery Grant-in-Aid funding annually to the Village of Pouce Coupe to support the operation and maintenance of the village-owned cemetery. 

The initial grant was $5,000 to assist with cemetery upgrades. Since then, $1,500 has been given annually for ongoing operating costs. 

Before 2021, the village was required to submit a Cemetery Grant-in-Aid application every year for consideration through the annual budget process. 

The report said that although the funding request was consistent, the annual application and approval process required administrative time. 

To streamline the process, the regional district and village entered into a five-year MoU, effective from Aug. 1, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2025. 

The MoU established a multi-year funding arrangement to reduce administrative effort. 

This proposed MoU renews this arrangement with the same terms for an additional five-year term from 2026 to 2030. It outlines the purpose of the Grant-in-Aid funding, defines roles and responsibilities and establishes the terms under which the funding will continue. 

The $1,500 is budgeted as part of the $16,000 commitment for Electoral Area D through Function 285 – Cemeteries. 

The report said that since 2007, $32,000 has been provided to the village for cemetery care. 

To read the full report, see below.