Since her call to the Bar in 1994, Sandra has developed over 17 years of municipal law experience, advising on many new local government initiatives, including economic development incentives, tax revitalization programs, the creation and operation of municipal business corporations, post-treaty relationships and agreements with First Nations, and other innovative uses of local government authority. Her recent work includes:

 

• advising on geothermal and alternative energy sources for municipal heating utilities
• advising on local government servicing agreements with First Nations in both treaty and reserve supply arrangements
• advising on conflict of interest, defamation, and code of conduct issues for local governments
• advising on the establishment and operation of municipal corporations, including tax implications, partnering agreements, and best practices
• advising on permissive tax exemptions, including revitalization exemption programs
• advising treaty First Nations on development of laws
• advising on inter-local government servicing agreements and arrangements
• providing advice on property taxation and tax sales
• providing advice on regional district service disputes
• advising local governments and treaty advisory committees on First Nations consultation, aboriginal title and rights, and reserve and treaty land implications
• providing advice on procurement and effect of inter-jurisdictional agreements.

 

Sandra is a frequent speaker at many local government-focused seminars and conferences, including the LGMA, UBCM, chapter conferences, Canadian Legal Education and Pacific Business & Law Institute conferences. In the balance of 2011, Sandra will be presenting at the NCLGMA Chapter Conference, LGMA Clerks and Corporate Officers Conference, MATI 5 (Planning for Non-Planners), and conferences being held for newly-elected officials in the Northwest and Kootenays.