Dryden Council's Committee of The Whole, May 8, 2023

The Committee of the Whole meeting discussed various matters, including the possibility of selling naming rights for municipal facilities in the city of Dryden.

A staff report was presented on the potential selling of naming rights for municipal-owned assets. This strategy involves allowing companies to pay for the right to name a facility or asset for a defined period. The revenue generated from naming rights agreements could be used for facility operations and maintenance.

The council discussed the need for a clear policy to ensure that businesses with a positive reputation and contribution to the community are chosen as sponsors. They also addressed the importance of respecting historical names associated with existing facilities.

The council agreed to further explore the possibility of selling naming rights but acknowledged the need for a thorough review of existing names and the development of a policy. The issue will be brought up at a future council meeting, after which a decision will be made regarding the facilities to be considered for naming rights agreements.

While there were no delegations or presentations, a public notice was read, stating the council's intention to declare certain properties as surplus to be sold. This announcement followed a report presented by the city's economic committee in April.

An unaudited financial report for 2022 revealed a slight deficit in the net operating budget. The deficit will be allocated as an expense in the 2023 budget, with a plan in place to address the shortfall.

The meeting concluded with plans to bring forward the necessary proposals, policies, and budget amendments in future meetings.