By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: December 09, 2008
Vernon’s budget process, and attempts to hammer out a potential tax increase, is moving ahead. On Monday, council received a preliminary 2009 budget from staff for consideration. At this point, a 2.5 per cent residential tax hike is included in the document, but Coun. Bob Spiers insists that outcome isn’t written in stone. “I’d love to start at that figure but I don’t believe we will start at that figure,” he said. “We are starting at a much higher figure than 2.5 per cent. They (provisional budget) don’t include service adjustments or hiring a new person.” Spiers, who has suggested he would like a zero per cent increase, says it will be up to council to look at each item and determine whether it should remain in the budget.
Coun. Patrick Nicol is also looking forward to delving into the budget process. “I hope we’ll pay attention to staff requirements reflecting this economy,” he said, adding that some belt-tightening may be required while continuing to provide services. “We have to reflect the tenure of the times financially.” Mayor Wayne Lippert expects his council will work hard to meet the needs of the public as the budget is developed. “Council will be making any changes as necessary,” he said. “It will be council’s job to decide any increases or decreases and not staff’s.”
Council will hold a special committee of the whole meeting Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. until noon to review the budget. At that time, residents will be able to provide input on the budget. But Spiers has already asked that other input sessions, including one at night, be held so the public can directly provide their thoughts on the budget to members of council.
