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| CFO Corinne Bomben presented the first look at the 2020 City of Prince Rupert Budget and Financial plan on Monday night |
The City of Prince Rupert rolled out the first look at their Budget planning for 2020 on Monday evening, with the City's Financial Officer Corinne Bomben introducing the financial blue print for the year ahead.
Her presentation included a look at the work that city does to operate in the city, as well as a review of some of the projects and challenges that they face.
Ms. Bomben also provide a glimpse at the Budget recommendations for 2020 and the timeline ahead for consultation.
Among some of her key themes on service provision scope of employment that the city provides for with approximately 175 full time employees and an additional 100 workers on a casual basis. With the CFO noting how the chances are that you or a family member know or are related to a city worker.
For challenges she noted the end of the current landfill cell and the need for a new one, the work on the water dam, plans for the water treatment facility and a replacement RCMP station as well as the work ahead to realize the 2030 Vision plan recently presented in December.
As part of her overview on city operations, she explained how the various funds work as well as how the city approaches the requirements for capital projects.
There is no expansion of services planned for 2020, while the financial planning does make allowances for cost increases for wages/benefits, maintenance, the RCMP contract and an increase to 1 million dollars for the road paving budget, as well as a 1.6 million dollar payment to Port Edward will be covered by new tax from expansions and new builds.
The City's CFO observed that as a result of that addition tax revenue, that as of February 24th that means the City will realize a Budget Surplus and will see no increase to the residential mill rate for 2020.
She also outlined how the budget surplus would be used, allocating it towards future debt repayment for the proposed RCMP detachment.
She made note as to how the long desired replacement project has been a major concern for City Council's through the years and was very pleased to note that they will be able to move forward on it, with no anticipated tax increase for the project, meaning that the loan would be completely covered.
There was however, no timeline outlined on Monday as to when residents may hear of the next steps towards the construction of the facility.
A tutorial on the terms mill rate and how the city collects taxes was next on the Budget overview checklist. Noting how assessed values have increased over the last six years, providing a snapshot on how that impacts on the city tax notices.
She also highlighted the range of taxes that the city collects on behalf of other agencies and has no control over those levels of taxation; the CFO also made note of the payment options available and that any changes that may have to be made will be known in late march.
As for public consultation, the City has two sessions set for those review, the March 9th Council session and again during the March 23rd City Council meeting.
When it came to questions and comments, the Mayor led off by offering his thanks to the City staff, making note how it was a very different discussion that they have had this year compared to when he took office in 2015.
Council members followed up with similar praise with Councillor Randhawa leading off, Councillor Niesh noting how depressing it was in 2015 and noting the changes he has seen including the new life at Watson Island and how they are making money out there every month.
Councillors Mirau, Cunningham and Skelton-Morve offered up similar salutes to the city staff, with Mr. Morven observing how it is a turning point and can now change to the narrative of the city.
Councillor Adey aded his thanks and noted the skill and expertise that was required to deliver the budget project for the year.
Ms. Bomben accepted the kudos and notes she would pass on Council's salutes to the various department heads and their staff and the finance team.
Council received the report for information purposes and set the timeline ahead for consultation in March.
You can take in Ms. Bomben's budget presentation to Council from their video archive starting at the 33 minute mark.
Some further notes on Monday's budget roll out can be explored from the City of Prince Rupert website.
You can follow the city's path on Budget 2020 from our archive page here.
For a wider overview of Monday's Council session see our Council Timeline feature here.
Cross posted from the North Coast Review.
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