The District of Squamish has an extra $194,588 to play with in 2004.
The money is coming from the traffic fine revenues that the provincial government is granting to Squamish.
On the same day that Squamish learned it is getting its provincial gift, 69 other communities across B.C. were told they are sharing in about $31 million worth of traffic fine revenues. That money is to be used for community policing, crime prevention and other initiatives to help make communities safer.
"It is all a bonus because we didn't expect to get anything," said Mayor Ian Sutherland after the amount was announced.
The announcement makes good on Premier Gordon Campbell's promise in September to return 100 per cent of net traffic fine revenue to municipalities starting this year. The premier originally said the revenue would start coming back to communities next year but he surprised the province by moving the timelines.
"This is part of our comprehensive strategy to help make streets and communities safer, so that British Columbians enjoy the best quality of life," said Campbell.
The funding amount for Squamish this year was calculated based on the amount of money the municipality spent on policing in 2002.
Communities with fewer than 5,000 residents, like Lions Bay and Pemberton, do not pay for policing costs and are not eligible for traffic fine revenue funds. Regional Districts also don't pay for policing and subsequently don't qualify.
To the north of Squamish, Whistler was granted $170,578 while West Vancouver to the south came away from the announcement with $632,146.
