The 2004 budget situation is looking a little better for the Town of Fort Frances after a committee of the whole meeting to discuss controllable costs Friday at the Civic Centre.
Facing a forecasted shortfall of $2.79 million just a few weeks ago, a total of $724,564 in reductions were unveiled at Friday’s meeting, Clerk Glenn Treftlin said this morning.
This money was combination of the increased GST rebate, confirmed tax revenues stemming from additional assessments (but not levy increases), cuts to staff travel and training, cancelled transfers to reserves, and “other known items that won’t be happening in 2004 anymore,” noted Treftlin.
None of this trimming included eliminating jobs, closing facilities, or creating new user fees, Coun.
Tannis Drysdale noted after Friday’s meeting.
While no motion came before the committee of the whole to vote on Friday, it did support management’s recommendations, Treftlin said.
It first was reported in the Times three weeks ago that the town was facing a shortfall of $2,792,030 in 2004. Given Friday’s cuts, that amount is now closer to $2 million.
The committee of the whole will meet again today at 4 p.m. to talk about taxation.
“We’re hoping to get some indication from council as to what level of taxation will be acceptable to them,” noted Treftlin.
The committee is scheduled to meet again at noon this Friday to discuss user fees.
The public is welcome to attend both these meetings, but they will not be broadcast on Channel 10.
The finalized budget for 2004 must be in place by the end of March.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
