New City Budget Calls for 3.7% Hike

ONLINE PROPOSED BUDGET
http://www.vernon.ca/services/finance/documents/Proposed2014_2018FinancialPlan.pdf

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Monday, 16 December 2013 12:26
City of Vernon staff has presented a budget that calls for a maximum 3.7 percent budget increase. That would mean an extra 31 dollars for the average homeowner. Chief Administrative Officer Will Pearce told council at a special meeting Monday, the draft plan is presented to council for review and direction. "We continue to get our fiscal house in order while increasing commitment in two key areas: economic development and protecting the integrity of our city road system and pipes," said Pearce. Mayor Rob Sawatzky says it remains to be seen if the hike can be lowered. "That will become clearer as council enters discussions. Certainly that (3.7%) fits the direction given by council in the strategic planning and that's consistent with the last two years," says Sawatzky. 1.9 percent of the increase would be infrastructure upgrades, while the other 1.8 percent would be for various division increases. "Collectively the Corporation's operating costs are held to an increase of less than 1.2%," said Pearce. Planned staff reductions include one full time person in bylaws, corporate services, and building inspection, three positions in parks operations, and a reduction of student helper positions from 10 to 5. A parks planner will be created to address new duties under the revised Regional Parks Agreement. Pearce says with the reductions, the city will be down to 246.6 full time equivalents, from 249.8 in 2013 and 252.7 in 2012. Councillor Bob Spiers says he will work to lower the increase. "I always like to see it come down. Without looking at the details, if we can get more reductions, why shouldn't we?" he tells Kiss FM. Spiers says he has to take a closer look at the budget to see what could be trimmed. "I don't think there's as much fat in there as there was before." Council will discuss the budget more at three days of special meetings January 15-17.
----------
Tax hike and staffing cuts move ahead at Vernon city hall
by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Dec 16, 2013 at 10:00 AM
The City of Vernon has started hammering out its proposed 2014 budget. The draft document, which was presented to council Monday, includes staff reductions and top-end tax hike of 3.7 per cent. "We continue to get our fiscal house in order," said Will Pearce, chief administrative officer. Pearce cautions that a 3.7 per cent tax increase— or $31 for the typical home — is just a starting point and that number could be reduced as deliberations continue. The 3.7 per cent is based on 1.8 per cent for operations and 1.9 per cent for infrastructure. In terms of staffing, full-time equivalent employees will go from 249.8 in 2013 to 246.6 in 2014. The loss include a bylaw compliance officer, a corporate services worker, a building inspector and three positions in parks (two are currently vacant). However, a parks planner position has been created. Look for more details in Wednesday's Morning Star.