On Tuesday, Feb. 25, we held our final public budget meeting.
Public sessions started last fall, were held in different parts of the city and included web options so people could provide input.
To date, most public input has been for projects not included in our current budget estimates,
Those items would add to the final tax bill.
Unfunded requests include an extra RCMP member for domestic-violence incidents, a family washroom in Riverside Park, water service in Cowan Park, a Kermode-bear enclosure, matching funds for the Westsyde water park and planning money for a new performing-arts centre — to name but a few.
What do you want to see?
Would you support paying a higher tax to support your project of choice?
Most people I have heard from have told me to hold the line on spending and to please keep in mind low-interest returns on retirement incomes.
Lower incomes make it hard to deal with higher costs for fuel, food, electricity and gas.
One senior told me higher taxes could prevent her from staying in her family home as she has no wiggle room with a static income.
Our city costs are higher for electricity and gas, while diesel fuel has risen this year, so we are also experiencing the pinch in services we provide.
People ask what we have in place as a rainy-day fund.
Do we save for the emergencies that could arise?
Yes. We have a reserve set aside which sits at $9 million, with a goal of $13 million — the amount needed to run the city for about two months.
This is all part of a good city financial-sustainability plan.
We will know the exact amount of our reserve/surplus at the budget meeting on March 25.
Our finance department has a new asset-management project in place.
Individual departments assess the condition of our assets (roads, pipes, bridges) to determine what needs replacing in their capital plans.
For instance, Tranquille Road is rated at 77/100 on the asset-management plan, so it will be about 20 years before major upgrades are needed.
The next phase of the asset-management plan will gather the inspection information and input it into a central database to be able to prioritize capital projects across the city.
Each department has an annual budget set, with all the work/projects included for the coming year.
The budget and work plan go to senior management for review, then on to council for decision.
This is where each item is debated for value and need and a priority is set.
The yearly budget is adjusted as the projects are completed and any cost efficiencies achieved go back into the general fund as surplus at year-end.
The surplus can go into the reserve or help to reduce taxes.
A careful overview is needed to ensure we always have enough in reserve for emergencies.
Budget priorities must align with the city’s strategic plan, which is set at the beginning of each term of office by mayor and council in consultation with the public and staff.
This is where council debates and looks at the long-term vision for the city.
We have included many more public budget sessions to find out what you want now and for the future.
I welcome hearing your thoughts on the budget process.
Marg Spina is a Kamloops councillor. Each month, KTW will feature a column from a member of council. Spina can be reached by email at mspina@kamloops.ca.
