Key Numbers from the February 2, 2026 Meeting

$850,000
Proposed budget for the Lillooet West Streetscape Enhancement Project.

7 Proposals Received
Number of contractor proposals evaluated before recommending Element Excavating Ltd for the streetscape project.

10 Officers Allocated
Planned number of frontline RCMP officers assigned to the Agassiz detachment.

8 Officers Active
Current number of frontline officers on duty at the time of the report.

142 Pages
Total size of the February 2, 2026 council agenda package.

1 Civic Campus Concept
Early planning discussions between the Village and School District 78 exploring future municipal use of the Harrison Elementary School site.

March 2, 2026 Council Meeting

What Council is Working On

Source: Village of Harrison Hot Springs Regular Council Agenda Package
March 2, 2026 (138 pages)

Quick Take

The March 2 council meeting moves forward the Village’s five year financial plan, discusses emergency evacuation planning, and receives reports on wildfire preparedness and community programs.

At the same time, the agenda shows very little direct discussion about major infrastructure risks facing the Village, including the wastewater treatment system, sewer upgrades, and long term asset replacement.

Executive Summary

The March 2 agenda focuses primarily on:

• Approval of the 2026–2030 Financial Plan
• An Evacuation Planning Update
• The 2025 FireSmart wildfire mitigation report
• Correspondence including updates on the proposed seniors housing project
• Committee recommendations relating to parks and amenities

These items represent routine municipal governance. However, when placed in the broader context of Harrison’s known infrastructure challenges, the agenda raises questions about priorities and long term planning.

Key Numbers

138 pages
Total size of the amended council agenda package.

5 year financial plan
Council is advancing the Village’s 2026–2030 financial framework.

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0 public responses
The staff report states no formal public feedback had been received regarding the financial plan as of the report date.

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3 major hazards identified
Residents identified flooding, earthquakes, and wildfire as the most likely emergency risks to the Village.

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What Council is Being Asked to Approve

Five Year Financial Plan

Council is considering third reading of the 2026–2030 Financial Plan Bylaw.

Under the Community Charter, municipalities must adopt a five year financial plan each year outlining operating costs, capital spending and taxation policy.

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Public consultation included:

• an online survey
• email and phone submissions
• a budget open house on February 24

However the report notes that no official public feedback had been received on the draft financial plan by the time the report was written.

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Emergency Evacuation Planning

Staff are developing a formal evacuation planning framework for the Village.

Survey responses show:

• many residents do not have emergency evacuation kits
• many households do not have emergency plans
• residents identified flooding, earthquakes and wildfire as key risks.

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The work will help shape evacuation routes, emergency communications and disaster response planning.

FireSmart Program

Council is receiving the 2025 FireSmart report and considering sending a letter to the Province supporting continued program funding.

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FireSmart programs focus on wildfire mitigation through:

• vegetation management
• public education
• home and neighbourhood risk reduction.

Committee Discussions

Council will also consider recommendations from the February 17 Committee of the Whole meeting.

Topics discussed included:

• barbecue zones in Rendall Park
• potential expansion of picnic facilities
• research into an off leash dog swimming area

While these issues may improve park amenities, they represent relatively small operational matters within the broader context of municipal governance.

The Larger Context

Harrison Hot Springs faces several long term infrastructure challenges, including:

• aging sewer infrastructure
• wastewater treatment compliance issues
• water system upgrades
• flood protection and dike planning

These issues have significant financial implications for the Village and will require substantial capital investment in the coming years.

However, these infrastructure priorities are not a central focus of this particular council agenda.

Questions Residents May Want to Ask

• How does the 2026–2030 financial plan address major infrastructure needs?
• What capital funding is being allocated to sewer and wastewater upgrades?
• How will the Village finance large infrastructure projects in the coming decade?
• Why has no formal public feedback been received on the financial plan?

These questions may become increasingly important as Harrison continues to grow and infrastructure systems age.

Source Document

Village of Harrison Hot Springs
Regular Council Meeting Agenda Package (Amended)
March 2, 2026
138 pages