Vernon city councillors will be mulling over 2011's budget figures this Christmas season ahead of budget talks in the new year. In a note to council, Finance Manager Kevin Bertles says he does not recommend council adopt the `zero' budget as is. Bertles warns that would require several program cuts. Items not included in or excluded from the budget yet include $4.5-million in requests from City departments. Some of those requests include $660,880 to build a fire station at Predator Ridge and $225,000 to buy land for a future fire station at Bella Vista. As well, $60,000 is being asked for renovation work on the Lakers clubhouse in Okanagan Landing and $348,000 for phase two work on the Civic Plaza. Figures also show 1.8-million dollars in obligatory spending increases in 2011.
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- 2011-2015 PROPOSED Financial Plan. - 15.60MB
Zero Budget Not Recommended by Staff
Vernon city council will start its budget talks next month and already they will be facing pressure to raise taxes. Council earlier passed a motion to work towards a zero budget but Finance Manager Kevin Bertles is recommending against that. Bertles says in a note to the politicians, no spending increase would come at "the expense of several program cuts, and future known expenditures." He says a six percent tax hike would be needed to "allow revenues to match the increased costs and additional service levels already committed to."
Council will hold special all day meetings January 12th and 14th to discuss the budget, and get input from department managers.
Vernon city council will start its budget talks next month and already they will be facing pressure to raise taxes. Council earlier passed a motion to work towards a zero budget but Finance Manager Kevin Bertles is recommending against that. Bertles says in a note to the politicians, no spending increase would come at "the expense of several program cuts, and future known expenditures." He says a six percent tax hike would be needed to "allow revenues to match the increased costs and additional service levels already committed to."Council will hold special all day meetings January 12th and 14th to discuss the budget, and get input from department managers.
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