Coldstream’s budget debate stalls

Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star Published: February 03, 2009

Coldstream’s first public budget discussions Monday didn’t get very far without some key information and a key figure – a financial advisor. Catherine Lord, chief financial advisor, still has two weeks at the district since putting in her notice. But Lord was not available at a special meeting of council Monday, where council attempted to debate the budget. Along with her absence, another key reason budget deliberations didn’t go very far is Coldstream is awaiting year-end reports for 2008. “The appropriate time to really have a hard look at it would really be after we’ve got our year-end statements,” said Michael Stamhuis, director of engineering services. Having the year-end numbers will give council and staff a better idea of what level reserves are at. “Given where year end is at we may not be at 2.5 per cent (tax increase) right now,” said Stamhuis. The budget was previously approved and adopted, including a 2.5 per cent tax increase, by the former council. That works out to an increase of just under $20 for the average residential property’s annual tax bill (the average assessment for 2009 is $535,103). The new council is eager to bring back the budget so it can tweak a few things. “There are items here which we should probably look at,” said Mayor Jim Garlick. One item he is keen on taking a harder look at is $5,000 budgeted for fixing the clock next to the former Coldstream Policing Office building (now used by Coldstream staff). He suggests more work may be needed due to vandalism of the clock tower. Coun. Gyula Kiss would also like to see sewer fees reconsidered. The budget currently calls for a consumption rate with a base of $85 per quarter to be implemented with the July 2009 billing. Sewer charges are currently a $142 per quarter flat rate.