The City of North Battleford is laying the groundwork for another successful year of Operation Red Nose.
At Monday night's council meeting, the city passed a resolution to cover the costs of the criminal record check fees for Operation Red Nose volunteers by way of a $250 grant to the organization.
The Operation Red Nose organization had sought a waiver of the criminal record check fees and a resolution to that effect was up for a vote, but Councillor Don Buglas suggested a grant was the proper procedure for the City to follow in this case.
The reasoning was that several other non-profit organizations come to council seeking fee waivers and are turned down. However, the city has been able to accommodate the needs of non-profits through grants.
Administration explained the procedure in the past has been for the City to continue to charge fees for record checks, but grant that money back to the organization.
The resolution for the waiver of the criminal record check fees was defeated, and Buglas's resolution for a $250 grant carried unanimously.
2009 was the first year for Operation Red Nose in the Battlefords. The initiative is a national one designed to encourage holiday revelers to not drink and drive, as volunteers are called to drive them home in their own vehicles.
Last year, Operation Red Nose had 25 volunteers. Criminal record check fees normally cost $10 per person.
