Budget deliberations underway

As was noted by Administration, other municipalities are looking at greater tax hikes. Saanich is expecting a hike of eight percent as is Nanaimo, while Kamloops is looking at a tax hike of 10.8 percent.

Council also went through the capital plan and pulled several “unfunded” projects. Those are projects that are identified as needing attention, but the City doesn’t have the finances to undertake them. Administration cautioned Council about pulling those projects, saying the projected cost estimates may be unsure and projects that have identified for this year would fall off the books.

There are eight “enhancements” in the budget which represent requests for additional funding.

They include four additional RCMP officers at a cost of $883,128 and two additional municipal employees, additional firefighters, funding to look at the option of a fire training centre. Should all the extras be passed, the tax hike would be 8.23 percent.

Two more meetings have been set aside for budget discussions.

A balanced budget needs to be passed by May 15th.

by Cheryl Jahn

Budget deliberations underway

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