Budget input ends

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: February 15, 2013 1:00 AM

Vernon residents will have no more say into how their money is spent in 2013. Council voted Tuesday not to hold any more public input sessions for the proposed budget, which now includes a 3.95 per cent tax increase. “There were three opportunities for the public to provide input and we got more members of the public attending than we normally do,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham. Cunningham isn’t convinced another public session would achieve anything before council adopts the 2013 financial plan. “Last year, we had an input night where staff put together a lot of information and hardly anyone showed up,” she said. Lone opposition to ending the public process came from Coun. Bob Spiers. “Traditionally we have another meeting after we give three readings (which occurred Tuesday) so people can tell us if we got it right or wrong,” he said. “I always like listening to the public when we are spending their money.” The budget originally called for a 4.7 per cent increase in taxes but that was lowered to 3.9 per cent Tuesday after council trimmed $139,000. “It’s always welcome,” said Mayor Rob Sawatzky of lowering the impact on taxpayers. The impact on an average home is an additional  $45 in taxes. Much of the $139,000 is coming from reserves and is going towards upgrades to the RCMP detachment and bolstering revenue for the community development operating budget. “It’s well thought out and consistent with our plan to meet infrastructure needs,” said Sawatzky. “Reserves were built up to deal with these projects.” Of the overall tax increase, 1.9 per cent is designated for Vernon’s future infrastructure needs.
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Budget input should continue
By Editorial - Vernon Morning Star Published: February 15, 2013 1:00 AM
Public consultation ultimately has to come to an end, but the City of Vernon may be rushing things.
Council decided Tuesday that three sessions in January were sufficient for residents to provide feedback on the proposed 2013 budget and an increase in property taxes. But there are some important factors to consider. First off, the three sessions were held on weekday mornings when many people, and particularly those who work, can’t get to city hall for a meeting. The other critical aspect is the content of the budget has changed significantly since those three meetings. On Tuesday alone, $139,000 was removed from the document by tapping into reserves. That took the tax increase from 4.7 to 3.9 per cent or $45 for the average home. Should council’s consideration of the budget not be based on the realities facing residents now and not a proposal from weeks ago? Some council members are hung up on the fact that few residents attend budget input meetings and preparing information that goes ignored is an inefficient use of staff resources. There is a point to that logic as hand-outs and charts cost money to produce. But if elected officials don’t provide opportunities for citizens to take an active role in the process, then there is always going to be a lack of input. And being open and transparent  shouldn’t be influenced by one resident showing up or a crowded council chamber. The budget directly impacts the residents of the community — it is their document. With provincial law not requiring the city’s budget to be finalized until May, there is still is considerable time for the city to hear from residents and iron out financial details. After all, developing a budget isn’t a race.