The City of North Battleford's 2011 Budget and five-year operating plan was approved by council March 28, with only councillor Grace Lang opposing the motion.
The budget will carry with it an 8.58 per cent increase in taxation. Of the increase, 6.04 per cent represents the increase to the Recreation Culture Capital Facilities levy - $75 per residence and 78 per cent for commercial - and 2.54 per cent represents the increase in operating and capital expenses.
The increase is 0.10 per cent higher than in the originally submitted budget. City Finance Director Byron Tumbach explained a number of estimates provided by administration weren't properly added up and an airport maintenance project was added to the budget, which significantly increased the operating budget. However, as the changes were identified, other costs were cut to keep the tax increase as small as possible.
"Through the deliberation process, council and administration went through the document and the programs and we adjusted some of the projects and removed some of the capital," explained Tumbach.
He listed some items removed from the budget as cost saving methods, including a heating upgrade to the Don Ross Centre, valued at $125,000 over five years, additions to the City's facilities maintenance shop, valued at $120,000, providing City council members with iPads and building a gazebo at the Chapel Gallery.
Tumbach also said the City is scaling back on manpower costs by delaying hiring additional public works workers, and because replacing the Parks and Recreation director has taken longer than anticipated, that budget items can also be reduced.
"I think we provided the best document we could in the time period we were given," said Tumbach.
He said although the increase in the Recreation Culture Capitals Facilities levy, mainly to cover costs associated with the CUPlex, is substantial, the tax increase for operating and capital is reasonable, considering the increases in costs the City has seen.
Tumbach explained the cost of utilities has increased by $92,000, while the cost of labour, excluding utility operations, has increased by $469,000. Although the city is adding staff in the areas of policing, public works and recreation, Tumbach pointed to the parks department, which has been operating with the same amount of staff as in 1989, although the city, and it's green spaces have grown considerably in that time period.
He said, when faced with such increases, it's difficult to trim costs.
"There isn't much you can do unless you start looking at the service delivery side," said Tumbach.
However, as councillor Rhonda Seidel said during the council meeting, the problem comes in finding a service that North Battleford citizens could do without.
"Everyone wants to maintain their services, but don't want to pay for it," said Seidel.
She also recommended people read the budget before calling her, saying she'd heard from a number of people who hadn't read the budget.
Lang, however, said the City should at least look at reducing services and programs.
"What would it look like if we did cut services?" asked Lang.
Councillor Ron Crush said he already believed the budget to be a minimalist one.
"Wow, we're missing a lot of stuff here," he said.
Lang also added the budget should be something the council looks at continuously throughout the year, so they can make more informed decisions when it comes to budget items.
Tumbach agreed with this approach, saying, "A budget shouldn't be a document that's only addressed in three weeks, it should be the entire year."
Budget highlights include $141,000 for computer purchases and upgrades, $25,000 in funding for Concern for Youth, which is $7,000 more than was given last year, $115,000 for completing an official community plan, $100,000 for a traffic master plan, 75 per cent of which will be funded by Sask Highways, and $50,000 to create a strategy asset management plan.
Updating the Fairview neighbourhood design and broadening transit service will each carry a cost of $40,000, while $30,000 will be put towards beautification initiatives.
Scott Campbell, Chamber of Commerce president, said the budget demonstrates a commitment to encouraging growth and development.
"No one wants to see tax increases," said Campbell, "but when they are as a result of diligent and thoughtful debate and consultation, and set a forward thinking tone for the community, business people can support that effort."
Campbell said he believes the 78 per cent increase to the commercial Recreation Culture Capital Facilities mill rate will be balanced, in the long run, by the increased business the facility will bring to the Battlefords.
"I think these things are necessary to attract young families to the community," he said.
"Yes, the tax increase will be painful, but I think it's a necessary evil," said Campbell.
Chamber of Commerce members are invited to attend a luncheon April 5 at the Chamber of Commerce building at 11:45 a.m., where City representatives will explain the budget in more detail.
A copy of the budget can be attained at City Hall.
