The city has started their annual budgeting process, with Director of Finance Andrew McGifford presenting the five-year financial plan at a committee of the whole meeting yesterday.
Last year, council pushed a variety of projects into 2021, which pushed the proposed tax increase to 10%.
City staff have brought that down to 3.95% already, and Mayor Sharie Minions says they’re on the right course.
“We’re going to be looking to bring it down from the starting point of 3.95% but still looking to get done what is responsible to get done and to improve our community at the same time,” she said.
Because of COVID the city has experienced a big revenue loss because of facility closures, but have also saved some money because of it.
The city will also be receiving a $3.5 million COVID re-start grant from the province, which will help the bottom line.
Council will have eight more meetings about the budget, including a public engagement e-town hall before the provincial deadline of May 14th.
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