Council approves 2021 budget with no tax increase

Dionne suggested removing $60,000 from the police budget saying he had spoken with the police chief who was on board with the change. Another $50,000 was saved by directing city administration to delay hiring for a few vacant positions. Meanwhile travel expenses for council and various city departments were reduced by $9,000, and $235,000 was taken from the 2020 budget surplus.

“We know that we’re going to have a large surplus carrying over from the extra MEEP [Municipal Economic Enhancement Plan] money and COVID money,” Dionne said.

Most councillors liked the idea, with many agreeing they’d also heard from constituents who couldn’t bear a tax increase right now.

“In a COVID year, this is the responsible thing for council to do,” Coun. Dennis Ogrodnick said.

The 2021 budget passed 8-1, with Coun. Terra Lennox-Zepp as the lone dissenting vote.

She voiced concerns that by reducing the amount being put into reserve funds, particularly one used to replace city vehicles and equipment, council was failing to prepare effectively for the future.

“I firmly believe that small increases over time are more respectful to our citizens, rather than putting things that we need to spend on off into the future, when we may later need to ask for a larger increase,” she told the meeting.

Council also passed the water utility and sanitation fund budgets on Monday night. Residents can expect to see a $0.50 increase to the garbage/recycling pickup charge on their monthly utility bill, while water rates for in-city users remain unchanged.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom

by Alison Sandstrom

Council approves 2021 budget with no tax increase

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