The 2016 North Battleford budget has been released by administration and it once again looks like city taxpayers will be on the hook for more.
The proposed operating and capital budget, released Wednesday, calls for an increase in property tax revenue of four per cent. For utilities, a 4.6 per cent net increase in base water and sewer rates is being proposed.
The UPAR — underground pipes and roads — program, which was introduced in last year's budget, could also expand. The levy is $3 per frontage foot dedicated to replacing aging infrastructure in the city.
Whether the program expands and if so, by how much, will be a major decision for council, indicates Mayor Ian Hamilton.
"That's going to be a big decision item for us next week," Hamilton told reporters.
He acknowledges, however, this repair work needs to be done.
"We do know we need to do more, at least on an annual basis, to keep chipping away at the need to replace … aging and brittle and critical infrastructure."
The five-year capital plan being proposed by administration for 2016-20 is also likely to be the last one presented in this manner. In the budget document, City Manager Jim Puffalt stated they are working towards developing a 20- to 30-year capital plan "that will allow the City to schedule large projects and corresponding borrowing needs."
For more details about what the budget contains, the entire 137-page document is now up on the home page of the City's website, at www.cityofnb.ca.
However, it should be emphasized the 2016 budget could still change as a result of deliberations scheduled for the coming couple of weeks at City Hall.
Wednesday marked the beginning of three scheduled nights of budget deliberations. Sessions are also set for Monday and Wednesday of next week beginning at 6 p.m., and a final budget is expected to be ready for approval at the Dec. 14 meeting of council.
The heaviest deliberation activity will happen next week, with City departments making their presentations at that time.
The main business before council at the Wednesday session, though, was devoted to external or third-party grant applications.
A total of 21 applications totalling $1,517,403 were presented, which would represent an increase of 2.8 per cent from last year.
Organizations presenting requests Wednesday included North Battleford Transit System and Handi-bus, Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts, Lakeland Library, Destination Battlefords, the Battlefords Humane Society, Battlefords Boys and Girls Club and Concern for Youth.
The first presenter was General Manager Moe McGuinty of the Dekker Centre, whose organization requested a grant of $220,000, the same as previous years.
Lakeland Library's request was for $348,311, an increase of 4.5 per cent. But their rising expenses and concerns about a lack of financial support from other levels of government did not sit well with some on council, including Councillor Greg Lightfoot.
"It's very hard for us to pass these on to the taxpayers," said Lightfoot.
Destination Battlefords’ request was for $112,500, a 2.5 per cent increase.
That increase was anticipated, as Executive Director Ryan Bater had previously said the increase was needed to meet costs and address an operating deficit while continuing to enhance initiatives.
Bater recused himself from the council table in order to make the presentation.
The total transit request, according to the budget document, comes to $332,089. The amount for North Battleford Transit was $194,625, which is reduced from last year due to unused funds carried over from 2015, but that number is contingent on a proposed expansion going ahead in 2016. The overall handi-bus request was for $137,464, a reduction of 5.2 per cent from last year, consisting of a $94,964 funding request plus a government grant of $42,500.
