North Battleford city council got right to work Wednesday night with deliberations of the 2019 budget.
Deliberations were scheduled for Nov. 28, Dec. 3 and Dec. 6, with council making decisions on whether to go along with administration’s recommendations for a four per cent property tax increase and a 4.5 percent utilities increase.
But council is still a long way from making those final decisions. The first session was devoted entirely to third-party grant applications, with a number of delegations representing non-profits and other groups making their pitch for city grants.
No “yes” or “no” decisions were made on any of the requests at Wednesday’s meeting; Mayor Ryan Bater reminded all presenters about the financial pressures the city was under and that deliberations would go on for a week and a half, and that they would be contacted once a decision was made.
The first presentation was from North Battleford Transit System and the Battlefords Handi-Bus. Paul Robertson, transit manager, put forward his request for transit funding of $271,280, up from $268,750 approved last year.
Transit had been struggling with a shortfall in revenue and recently received approval from council for a cash fare hike of $1 to address it; the grant increase would further assist them.
Battlefords Handi-Bus also sought an increase from $92,865 to $103,588. That service had recently been hit by the loss of the grant they received from the health region and other pressures.
The next presentation was from the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts. Kali Weber, their new general manager, outlined plans to get attendance and revenues up at the Dekker Centre in 2019. That includes a marketing plan and efforts to attract a broader set of customers.
The Dekker Centre sought $235,000, unchanged from 2018, but also proposed a cap on ticket sale revenue that the Dekker Centre gives back to the city at $15,000. That would allow them to keep an estimated $7,000-$8,000 that would “help our organization get back on track,” Weber said.
Executive director Nicole Combres and the North Battlefords Boys and Girls Club made their presentation; the ask from that organization is for an increase in the operating grant to $30,000 from $25,000 a year ago. They also are requesting $15,000 on the capital side.
Concern for Youth’s request is for $25,000, the same as a year ago. Their executive director Jennifer Cooke explained that it had been a challenging year for their organization, which had to shut down for two and a half months at one point.
Midwest Food Resources came forward with a request for $10,000, which would be split $5,000 apiece towards operations and capital. Board member Annette McGovern made the presentation before council. Midwest Food Resources had not received a third party grant in 2018.
The North Battleford Golf and Country Club was on hand making their request for $75,000 in short-term capital and $200,000 long-term capital; the club is currently performing a hole replacement on hole #4.
The Humane Society’s grant request was considerable: $271,893, up from $197,000 a year ago. The reason for the increase is because the Humane Society has decided the time has come to move ahead with its capital project, its long-talked-about new building, this coming year.
Their plan is to build not only a new animal shelter but an adjoining commercial kennel as well, which would bring in revenue to offset operating costs.
The Lighthouse North Battleford made a request for $25,000.
The Lighthouse managers Kerry and Tracey Reimer outlined the funding challenges their organization was facing, including the loss of a major housing grant in March.
The discussion also turned to the challenges their organization faced with long waiting lists and struggles in getting clients into detox treatment in a timely manner. That prompted a lengthy discussion from councillors about the need to locate a detox centre in the Battlefords.
The last presentation Wednesday night was from Learning Tree Child Development Centre. Their request was for $88,125, towards demolition of an attached run-down building at their location so they could create a larger play area for the children there.
No “yes” or “no” decisions were made on any of the requests at Wednesday’s meeting; Mayor Ryan Bater reminded all presenters about the financial pressures the city was under and that deliberations would go on for a week and a half, and that they would be contacted once a decision was made.
Deliberations were due to resume Monday at 5 p.m. All budget sessions are open to the public.
