Budget committee cuts tax increase to 1%

However, the day started with increases to the budget including $58,680 going into a riverbank stabilization study.

“If you look at our river in the west flat, we are really getting some shifting to the point that it’s eating up the rotary trail,” Mayor Greg Dionne said, following the meeting. “So we have to move to stabilize it now or we’ll have an even bigger headache.”

The funding allocated will go towards the study of the riverbank, but cost of actual work could end up in the millions.

Council also doubled funding into sidewalk maintenance from $102,760 to an even $200,000.

“I’m not confident this is enough to get it done,” Coun. Ted Zurakowski said about the original funding allocated for sidewalks.

According to public works director Amjad Khan, the $102,760 would be enough to complete sidewalk repairs to one block.

The committee decided to add another $97,240 in hopes of having more than one block finished when the time comes.

Council voted to reject the police service department budget of $15.3 million. After the presentation by Police Chief Troy Cooper, council looked to save $200,000 from the police budget. The budget will now go back to the police board to see if they are able to go on without that $200,000 while council has earmarked $15.1 million for police services.

An $80,000 loan to Prince Albert Tourism was also approved by the budget committee.

The loan, which comes from the deficit from the Borealis Music Festival, will go mostly towards businesses who have still not been paid from the festival.

Coun. Lee Atkinson, Coun. Charlene Miller, and Coun. Tim Scharkowski voted against the motion.

“(Tourism) took the risk. I don’t know how we’re the pickup,” argued Atkinson. “Someone else had a budget that was a dream, and now we’re here to pick it up.”

Because it is marked as a loan, the money does not affect the year’s final budget. Council and P.A. tourism will also meet to discuss a repayment mechanism among other things.

However, Dionne hopes he will be able to bring the total loan to under $70,000 after speaking to some of the companies that are owed money.

Notable cuts and increases on day 2

The John M. Cuelanaere Public Library will receive $50,000 of their requested $122,760 that will go towards materials, building operations, staff and renovations.
The Prince Albert Arts Board received a boost of $2,150 from the city bringing their budget to $17,550.
The city saved $275,000 by foregoing roof repairs on city buildings, back-up power units, and two LED traffic signs.
A total of $50,000 that will go towards traffic calming devices around the city including speed bumps.
Council will finalize the 2016 budget in subsequent council meetings before the end of the year.

knguyen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @khangvnguyen

by Khang Nguyen

Budget committee cuts tax increase to 1%

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