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$1.4 million proposed deficit in preliminary 2018 M.L. budget

Oct 24, 2017 | 5:00 PM

It isn’t finalized yet, but council and city management are foreshadowing a proposed $1.4 million deficit for next year’s budget.

Mayor, council and managers met on Saturday, Oct. 21 to review 2018 budget items including proposed expenditures which dip the city in the red. Before the final budget is adopted, city manager Diana Burton said council will have to determine if changes are warranted, or what amount the city should borrow for future infrastructure investments. Depending on feedback council may shelve certain proposals.

Burton said when it comes to day-to-day running of the city, there’s an expected $10.9 million in revenue with $8.66 million already slated for expenses. 

There were several proposed items to council, some of which were given higher priority than others.

Some of the proposed capital items, include a new extrication tool for the fire department at a cost of $28,000. In an interview with meadowlakeNOW, Fire Chief Neil Marsh said the new tool, commonly referred to as the ‘jaws of life’ will update the hall’s nearly 10-year-old model and is better suited to cut newer vehicle models.

“The thing is that vehicle technology changes and some newer vehicles have a lot harder material which makes it harder to cut into,” he said adding there are occasions where rescue staff have to use multiple tools to extract a patient.

“That results in lost time,” Marsh said. 

Beyond tools, the local columbarium is in need of replacement at the cemetary as the current one is close to capacity. The proposal opened up the choice to council as to how many niches it can include and provided a range in cost from $35,000 to $110,000. 

The civic centre’s roof is also a more urgent issue given it was built in the 1960s. Replacement cost is estimated around $80,000 and is slated for this year as part of the city’s five-year infrastructure cost program. 

The budget report summary suggests the proposed $1,442,392 deficit can be balanced by way of budget cuts, borrowing or a combination of the two.

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca  

On Twitter @ReporterKath

-With files from Glynn Brothen