We are in the final stages of the 2014 budget.
Council challenged staff to provide budget options that included adjustments in operations and if necessary, service levels to meet a zero per cent tax revenue increase. Because of contractual obligations and financial policies pressuring budgets upwards, a $1.3 million reduction target was required. During a number of workshops, council has considered the operations of the district in great depth, looking for efficiencies, increased revenues and cost saving measures in addition to possible service level reductions.
Before commencing this review we faced an 11.36 per cent increase in 2014 based on our previous five-year plan. With the changes realized through this year's budget process, we have not been able to accomplish zero per cent but we have achieved a budget that reflects an increase in property tax revenue of 5.14 per cent. Some of the major hurdles to overcome: phasing in the RCMP and labour contracts that equate to more than 3.5 per cent tax increase alone. Other major factors were debt servicing increase over one per cent and contributions to capital and capital reserves in excess of 1.5 per cent.
Spending in the general fund can be broken down by percentages through the following categories: Protective Services 28 per cent, General Government 22 per cent, Transportation and Transit 14 per cent, Recreation, Parks and Trails 14 per cent, Contribution to Capital and Rehabilitation Program 10 per cent, Economic Development and Community Development eight per cent, Debt and Fiscal Services four per cent.
Some of the major spending projects impacting the 2014 budget are: Vancouver Biennale $48,000, Election $52,000, Building Bylaw rewrite $33,000, Flood Hazard Protection Plan $155,000, Master Drainage plan 50,000, investor tool kit $35,000, Downtown Revitalization $70,000, Water Master Plan $100,000 and Sanitary Sewer Master Plan $121,000.
Over the four months that council has been working through the budget with staff, public involvement has been encouraged. Meetings have been streamed live; archives can be viewed at a convenient time on our website. We have utilized Facebook and Twitter to provide budget information. Local media outlets have been helpful in publishing many articles on our budget conversation and topics of community concern. Each meeting has allowed time for public question and answer periods both from those in attendance and others via social media.
Prior to adoption your council would like to receive feedback on the complete budget package as previous comments have been focused on individual topics. The complete budget will be presented to the community in an "E"-Town Hall meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday (March 12) at 6 p.m. and will be available for viewing/commenting via our website. We request your feedback on this draft budget in order to allow us to make any last minute changes before adoption. We want to hear from you!
