The Sources Community Resources Society that runs the Police Based Victim Services in Parksville Qualicum Beach is facing a budget shortfall this year.
Society chair Howard Schein has requested the Regional District of Nanaimo to match the grant of $73,137.72 they received this year from the Ministry of Public Service and Solicitor General. He made the appeal recently at a Oceanside Services Committee meeting.
The RDN and the ministry has a 50/50 cost-sharing agreement for the victim services program that has been offered in Parksville Qualicum Beach since 2018.
The RDN has allocated a budget of $65,000 for the program and was included in the 2022 budget. But because of this, Schein indicated their 2022-23 budget to pay for wages and benefits has a deficit of $8,137.72. He requested the RDN to cover the shortfall to meet the 50-5o funding arrangement.
READ MORE: Victims services restored in Parksville Qualicum Beach
Qualicum Beach director and committee chair Brian Wiese asked staff to clarify how the RDN moves forward with typical grants when the costs go up.
“Do we automatically approve them or do we bring it back to the board each time?” Wiese asked.
Parksville director Adam Fras wants to see a breakdown of the financial expenses of the program first to determine whether the funds the RDN are meeting their needs.
Parksville director Ed Mayne said the RDN has to put ceiling on the funding.
“I would like to know where we’re going,” said Mayne, who then made a motion to defer the matter back to staff for recommendations.
The committee unanimously approved the motion.