A wish list from City of Vernon managers comes with a big price tag. Council was presented with service level adjustment requests during Wednesday’s 2010 budget deliberations and the extra items cost almost $4 million. “It’s just part of the process. Staff asks for the sky and they get what’s given to them,” said Coun. Bob Spiers. That’s also Mayor Wayne Lippert’s opinion. “Part of staff’s job is to look at improved services and with new technology and methods, it’s not unexpected to see these requests,” he said. “Council will have to make a decision and staff won’t get everything they want.”
Virtually every department is seeking additional spending, including the RCMP which has requested two additional support staff. Tourism wants an enhanced marketing budget, while operations has asked for upgrades to the city hall parking area, a video inspection of sewer lines, waste containers for downtown and decorative covers for traffic signals to prevent graffiti.
One of the more detailed request packages came from the fire department. It is asking for two additional firefighters to equalize staff levels on shift, renovations to the department, a vehicle for the inspector and fire training officer, a volunteer fire hall at Predator Ridge, work stations to improve record management, a study on the public education program and transfers to reserves to replace vehicles. The request also includes upgrades to dispatch equipment, including radios and records. “The radio components are 15 to 20 years old,” said chief Jeff Carlisle. “It’s a public safety concern with radio reliability and the old technology.”
Council has not determined yet if the 2010 budget will include a tax increase, but Lippert is opposed to such a move. “I hope we can do everything we need to do and hold the line,” he said. Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe is also hesitant to hike taxes. “It’s always the wrong year for a tax increase, but this is a tough year for a tax increase,” she said referring to the recession.
Council will hold another budget meeting today from 8:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. at city hall, with public input provided at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. A copy of the proposed budget can be found at www.vernon.ca/services/finance/financial_plan.html
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