Council approves 2014 budget

After being tabled at the Oct. 21, Committee of the Whole Meeting to allow for two weeks for public feedback, Council unanimously passed its 2014 budget.

Asked if there was feedback over the two-week period, City Manager David Putz replied "administratively we have not received any questions, or comments."

With the approved budget the total increase in taxes will be 5.5 per cent, with one per cent of the increase going from operations, and the remaining 4.5 per cent to capital.

Councillor James Wilson said the one per cent to operations is basically an increase to cover the increase in the consumer price index.

On the capital side Mayor Bob Maloney said the new money being generated is needed.

"Council is very cognizant of raising taxes," he said, adding they are also "well aware of the shortfall" in terms of infrastructure."

Coun. Chris Wyatt said Council had two choices, to ignore the deficit and hold taxes, or "to deal with it" by investing additional dollars."

The 5.5 per cent tax increase will mean an average home in Yorkton currently assessed at $200,000 will pay an additional $72 a year in taxes

Budget details include, operational costs for 2014 seeing an additional $120,000 cost for a previously approved addition to the municipal RCMP force. The new position will mean 28 officers.

As the City grows there are more kilometres of streets to maintain and additional acres of grass to cut. The extra work comes with a cost increase of $292,000, including $150,000 for additional snow removal.

On the capital side infrastructure repair and renewal projects require additional dollars, with the $864,000 increase amounting to 20 per cent more investment than in 2013.

The capital budget requires additional dollars to upgrade and replace existing worn out assets. Capital Projects requiring tax dollars of $3,580,000 are proposed in 2014. This represents an increase of $784,000 over last year but given the major projects coming forward, the capital budget has to be increased, outlined a written report at the Oct. 21, meeting.

Continuing work of the City's long term drainage plan will soak up the majority of the new capital dollars in 2014.

Significant dollars have been allocated to drainage in recent years and the costs continue. In 2014 almost half the entire capital budget has been allocated to drainage ponds, channels, ditches and culverts. By the time the current phase of the plan is completed in 2015, the City will be looking at borrowing $10 million to cover the costs, detailed the written report.

Other major capital projects include an upgrade of the Highway #9 and Hamilton Drive intersection at $485,000, pre-design of a Broadway Street reconstruction at $850,000, pre-design of a new Public Works building at $540,000 and Orkney Bridge repair and culverts under Highway #9 at $400,000.