Hamburger Budget For City Of Vernon This Year, Says Mayor Draft budget cuts expenditures by more than $700,000

Kate Bouey 2/15/2011 105.7 SUNFM

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Vernon Vernon city council has endorsed a draft budget that will see a tiny, .21 percent, increase in property taxes this year. Mayor Wayne Lippert says tight financial times has led to a tightening of the muncipal belt. ``It's that old saying, `when you're at home and finances are tight, eat hamburger. When times are good you eat steak and so we're eating some hamburger right now,'' says Lippert. But councillor Bob Spiers appears to want a meatless dinner. He's indicated the numbers should change before the budget is approved. Expenditure reductions this year so far total $717,380. They mean there will be no hiring at city hall this year as well a reduction in the number of RCMP officers on the books. However Lippert says important infrastructure projects will be done and some money will go into reserves.