The City of Vernon’s 2008 budget isn’t written in stone yet, but money is already being spent. Council gave the green light Monday to early budget approval for millions of dollars worth of capital infrastructure projects and hiring new staff. “They are time-sensitive items,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert. The capital projects include $463,400 for 25th Avenue from 41st to 43rd streets, $865,500 for 30th Avenue from Alexis Park Drive to 41st Street and $971,400 for 32nd Avenue from 27th Street to Pleasant Valley Road. There are also a number of expenditures for the sewer treatment plant. They include $110,000 for replacement blowers, $130,000 for recirculation pumps and piping, $12,000 for a fermentate flow meter and $50,000 for design and engineering.The city’s 2008 budget doesn’t have to be finalized until May, but Lippert believes it makes sense to authorize funding for some initiatives now.“By getting out early with tenders, we can save money,” he said.
The early budget approvals also provide $833,000 so the RCMP detachment can hire four new sergeants, three additional watch clerks and fill municipal support positions. Lippert says that recruiting police officers can take some time so it is beneficial to launch the process early. “It can take six months before the positions are filled.” Some of the new positions are the result of the PRIME records management program initiated by the RCMP across B.C., and that is raising concern for Coun. Barry Beardsell. “They (RCMP) told us PRIME would be so wonderful and efficient,” said Beardsell. “Technology creates the need for more manpower.” Council will meet over the next few weeks to refine the 2008 budget and a public input session will be held April 14. It’s anticipated that council will adopt the financial plan April 28.
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Don Quixote Note: I am glad that the Mayor has acknowledged that it will take up to 6 months to fill the RCMP positions. At the special COW meeting scheduled for this Friday March 14 he will have the opportunity to adjust the budget to reflect the fact that the cost in 2008 will be for a maximum of 6 months only while the CFO has acknowledged that he has budgeted for a full year for these and other positions that have not yet being filled. $370,000 or well over 2.3% can be reversed from the present budget. See Taxes .
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