Staff
Town council and administration are ready to start the next phase of the 2011 budget process after council officially received the preliminary operating and capital budgets Monday evening.
Its first budget meeting will be held next Monday (Jan. 17).
In a report from treasurer Laurie Witherspoon, she indicated the 2011 preliminary operating budget is $21,071,625 for expenditures and $21,088,091 in estimated revenues, presently indicating a surplus of $16,466.
Meanwhile, the preliminary capital budget sits at $8,546,166.
However, Witherspoon pointed out this budget does not yet include tangible capital asset amortization, the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board levy increase, a fire department arbitration award, a policing cost increase, Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) omissions costs, or any new long-term debt for capital projects as these factors are not known at the present time.
It does, however, include the DSSAB funding apportionment change which, as reported last year, will see the town paying an extra $109,000 to it.
“Clearly, there is a great deal of work to do and prudent decisions to be made for this year’s budget,” Witherspoon stated in her written report.
The 2011 budget process began with the adoption of the budget timetable and the public meeting that was held Sept. 27.
Since that time, administration has been working on operational projections and capital needs for the coming year, noted Witherspoon.
There has been a cursory review at the divisional level by all executive committees.
As noted, council and administration will meet for its first special committee of the whole meeting on the 2011 budget next Monday, then will meet as often as needed afterwards as they work through the budget.
“Mayor and council will have ample opportunity to affect changes to the budget document through active participation and consultation with administration throughout the committee of the whole budget meetings,” said Witherspoon.
The timetable indicates the committee of the whole budget meetings will continue through the next few months before being brought up for ratification by council on April 11.
A public meeting then will be held Monday, April 25, with the budget anticipated to be ready for passage May 9.
