District of Taylor annual report highlights 2023 accomplishments

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – The District of Taylor Council has released its annual report for 2023, an overview of the district administration’s activities throughout the year. 

The annual report covered and outlined the district’s activities throughout 2023, from financial services to legislative achievements and activities to operations department and protective services highlights. 

The report covers the actions of Taylor Council, Mayor Brent Taillifer, and more than a hundred seasonal, permanent, and volunteer individuals who work with and for the District of Taylor. 

Throughout 2023, the district received $4.2 million in provincial and federal government transfers and spent $2.3 million on capital expenditures, including the purchase of a Canada Post property.

The district has also provided 13 organizations and events with in-kind donations or grand-in-aid funding, including the Taylor Curling Club, the Arnie Isberg Memorial 1-Pitch Tournament, and the Spirit of the Peace Powwow Society.  

The council also adopted 11 bylaws and 18 policies throughout 2023, as well as three resolutions proclaiming May as MS Awareness Month, September 18th to 24th as Rail Safety Week, and November as ‘Be an Angel’ Month. 

The council also passed several resolutions supporting programs and initiatives, including the Assembly of First Nations’ opposition to proposed Bill C-21 amendments related to firearm legislation, the Northeast BC Connector Project, and the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC’s resolution to UBCM for the $10aDay childcare program. 

Protective services highlighted Taylor Fire Rescue’s (TFR) efforts throughout 2023, including responding to 226 calls for service, a record number of calls for TFR. 

The report noted that the number of calls was a drastic increase compared to 2022 when TFR received 79 calls.

In 2023, TFR increased its membership with five new recruits and purchased new Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses and a dedicated washer to protect firefighters from carcinogens. 

2023 also saw TFR acquiring a summer interim firefighter for the third year in a row, a position offered through the federal Canada Summer Jobs program.

The annual report also overviewed numerous park and facility improvements that were conducted throughout 2023, in addition to general maintenance.

This included the major beautifications of old playgrounds and play surfaces throughout the district, roof maintenance at the District Ice Centre, and the introduction of online booking for Peace Island Park.

The full annual report is available to read below.