City of Vernon Councillor & former Mayor, Akbal Mund, was hosted by Calvin Reich. Akbal provided an update & answered questions on a variety of topics. About 80% of taxpayers have made their property tax payments on schedule, despite Covid-related problems, & the City has reserves which may be used to cover revenue shortfalls. Among businesses, he thinks retailers, especially clothing stores, are suffering most. Many restaurants are adapting well to take-out. Discussions among stakeholders are proceeding for a re-opening of recreation facilities, & planning is underway for both the “Active Living” & Cultural Centres, as well as the former Civic Arena site. At the end of this year, loans for the original Kal Tire Place & Performing Arts Centre will be repaid. Construction will start soon on a new Search & Rescue facility on PV Rd. A new sewer main along Okanagan Landing Rd is underway, prompted & partially paid for by Okanagan Springs Brewery. Water rates have been set for the next four years – reflecting increases for agricultural users, who use about 50% of the water, but provide under 5% of the revenue. Akbal pointed out though, that agricultural users are the ones who originally obtained water licences & built our water systems. Real estate sales are booming, & Ontarians are prevalent among buyers. Rail Trail plans & improvements are proceeding well, with new paths through Polson Park & town underway, plus parking & washrooms. As well, there’s only about 150m of Grey Canal access left to be negotiated, it won’t be long before hikers & bikers are well-served in Vernon.