WHAT COSTS DOES IT COVER?
Funds from the Municipal Program can be utilized for:
- Any costs associated with hiring a professional and/or technical consultant directly involved in technical, engineering, environmental and/or financial aspects of the project.
- Salaries/wages of municipal employees or those from partnering organizations - these must be detailed at cost and will be considered a cash contribution by the proponent to the project. Salaries of those in a managerial position are not eligible.
- Incremental costs to purchase of capital equipment directly related to emissions reductions.
- Costs to consult and educate the community about the project.
- Training/education costs directly related to the project.
- Travel costs directly related to the project as proposed.
- Any projects proposing to construct new buildings or significant renovations must commit to design and build to minimum standards for energy (35% improvement over the Model National Energy Code) and water (20% over the Baseline Water Fixture Requirements) consumption. Projects that aim to build to a higher standard (LEED Silver Certification, for example) will be more favourably reviewed.
The fund cannot be used for:
- Existing operating costs or work that has already been established as part of a municipality’s budget.
- Debt financing/cost recovery.
- Purchase of capital equipment not related to emissions reductions.
- Purchase of property, including land and/or buildings.
- Ongoing administration costs.
- Initiatives that need to be undertaken as a result of federal or provincial regulation/legislation.