By Charlene Tebbutt

City releases draft 2019 budget

Nov 2, 2018 | 5:33 PM

The City of Prince Albert has released draft budget numbers for 2019, including a proposed 3.9 per cent property tax increase.

The proposed 2019 budget requires operating revenues of at least $67.5 million, the draft budget document says, and will be looking for the tax increase to generate about $1.24 million more for city operations. The city has struggled since the province announced a reduction in funding along with the addition of PST on various costs and purchases, the document notes.

“Despite serious budget considerations to deal with we worked in close cooperation with the departments to come up with solutions that allowed us to present a budget that sustains current service levels, maintains infrastructure and meets obligations to external stakeholders,” Cheryl Tkachuk, director of financial services with the city, said in a release.

The 2019 draft budget can found online. The public will get the chance to provide feedback on the numbers Monday evening, as public consultations get underway starting at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

City councillors will debate budget line items Nov. 7 and 8. The city has frozen spending for the last part of 2018 and Mayor Greg Dionne said previously local residents can expect a tax increase above the two per cent initially projected.

Final numbers

Local RM results finalized

14h ago

Commitment

Hildebrand commits to Bemidji State in NCAA DI, first NCAA commitment in Raiders history

16h ago

Inflation

Rent inflation to slow in the next few years, Desjardins predicts

17h ago

Charlene.tebbutt@jbpg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt