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An agenda for this meeting is available on the SPMRM website, and you can view a recording of the meeting via the municipality's YouTube channel.
Here are the highlights of the meeting:
Cancer Supportive Care Society
Leslie Brochu, the president of the Cancer Supportive Care Society presented to council, offering cancer support services for the Sun Peaks community. Led by eight board members all with lived cancer experience, the society’s mission is to provide emotional and physical support, support for caregivers and legal/financial assistance through weekly classes, multi day programs and appointments available in-person, virtually, and over the phone.
Mayor and council reports
Sun Peaks school has received provincial funding for $200,000 to be used to build the school’s playground.
A thank you letter will be going out to the ministry from the Sun Peaks municipality.
CAO Report
During chief administrative officer Deanna Campbell’s report, council welcomed Donna Monteith as the new director of corporate legislative services and corporate officer.
Campbell also noted the beginning of the spring season also marks the beginning of the bear season. The municipality wants to remind the community of the responsibility to manage attractants through storing and disposing of garbage and recycling. The municipality solid waste and wildlife attraction bylaw can be found on the municipality’s website and more information can be found at Sun Peaks Bear Aware Facebook page.
Progress has been made on transferring the Sun Peaks Health Association to a community-led independent society, Campbell shared. Bylaws for the association have been amended with approval from the board of directors. The association is working on a name change to Sun Peaks Community Health Association and will be appointing a new board of directors.
Finally, wildfire season is approaching and the municipality wants to remind the community of the resources available in preparation for emergencies as well as any information on any wildfires close by on the municipality website and the BC wildfire website.
Appointment of chief election officer and deputy chief election officer
To prepare for the 2026 general election being held on October 17, Monteith was appointed the chief election officer and Jenel Melnyk was appointed deputy chief election officer.
Employee housing policy
Council approved employee housing policy number 36.
As the BC Builds project moves ahead, the Sun Peaks Housing Authority needs to develop employee housing related policies to govern and administer requirements.
“The Employee Housing Policy will apply to all employee rental housing properties owned by Sun Peaks Resort Municipality and operated by the Sun Peaks Housing Authority, to provide guidance and direction on eligibility criteria for employee rental housing,” the report to council stated.
The policy establishes rules for employee housing, with a governing body – the Sun Peaks Housing Authority. It is intended to support the workforce with stable rental housing, with eligibility requirements, employer participation through head leases and occupancy restrictions.
Five-year Financial Plan Bylaw No. 0236, 2026 and Tax Rate Bylaw Bylaw No. 0237, 2026.
Council adopted the five-year financial plan which includes the projected municipal revenues, expenditures and capital investments until 2030. The tax rate bylaw works to constitute property tax rates needed to subsidize municipal operations, infrastructure and external agency requisitions.
Read more about the financial plan here.
Development Cost Charges Bylaw No. 0238, 2026
Updates were discussed for the development cost charges bylaw, which mandates fees charged to developers to subsidize costs associated with growth. As noted in the five-year financial plan, development cost charges reserves are lower than expected, putting more pressure on the municipal budget. Staff recommended collecting fees earlier in the development process so that rising construction costs can be avoided and infrastructure projects can start sooner.
Part of the bylaw update includes removing completed projects from the program whilst adding new infrastructure priorities including parkland washroom facilities, East Village drainage planning, Valley Trail upgrades and road widening projects involved in future expansion. Council also discussed using development cost charges to assist in funding for employee housing, while mentioning that resort municipalities across B.C. are having difficulties establishing a framework that works for employee housing development cost charges.
Council moved the amendment for the bylaw to retain parkland development funding and add a land acquisition component connected to employee housing planning.
Bylaw 0203-005 Business License and Regulation Amendment
Council discussed amending the Sun Peaks business license and regulation bylaw, which would increase the business license fees. This would help cover operational costs associated with the regulation of short-term rental properties. The license fee for a three-bedroom short-term rental would increase from about $280 to $375.
The business license bylaw is still being developed and future updates will address issues surrounding on-mountain contacts and short-term rental management, requiring operators to pay a business fee of some kind.
The amended bylaw received first, second and third reading from council.
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