Those ambitious presentations from Chief Financial Officers across British Columbia of February may soon need to get a second look; that as Municipal government comes to terms with a new reality in the wake of the COVID-19 health crisis and the turmoil of the economic conditions of the last month.
With many industries and businesses now shut down due to the COVID-19 situation and many of their residents how self-isolating at home, many laid off from their jobs, a number of municipal governments have already started to take measures.
A number of which include wide scale layoffs of their own civic workforce and the need to now embark on a review of their financial picture for the days after the current health crisis has been addressed.
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Even as close as Terrace, the review is on for their budget planning, with the Terrace City Council set to review their plans and to explore if there will be a need for change, with plans to address that issue in their upcoming council sessions.
So far, there has not been any word on how the City of Prince Rupert plans to address the changing dynamic of the economic picture for the province and local area.
The last notes on the municipal budget in Prince Rupert came at the March 23rd council session, where the City's Chief Financial Officer Corinne Bomben ran through her presentation, a review which elicited no questions from the Mayor or Council at the time.
During the presentation Ms. Bomben did observe that:
"Currently we do not anticipate significant changes as a result of the pandemic however if there is anything that comes to light prior to seeking budget direction, we will make the changes and communicate them to council -- Prince Rupert Chief Financial Officer Corinne Bomben
That may be a statement that resonates psychic, with the province having since announced a range of fiscal initiatives to help cushion the blows of the current twin troubles, what the landscape of British Columbias fiscal future may look like is to say uncertain at best.
As well, with many businesses and local industry now shuttered, they may soon be seeking some guidance towards the upcoming municipal tax call of July.
That date is a firm one owing to the Community Charter that municipalities operate under, so there's not much flexibility to bd found there.
Though Council could revise it's current approach to taxation as a way of relief.
As well, at the March presentation, City Hall offered a range of options for the public to consider.
"Staff would like to remind home and business owners that property taxes can be paid in advance on a monthly basis through a pre-authorized withdrawal program offered by the city. Paying monthly can smooth out the financial impact of property taxes, as well those with mortgages can have their property tax payments combined through their lending institution. Anyone interested in setting up a pre- authorized withdrawal program can contact City Hall"
There does not seem to be much urgency by City Council towards sharing any further thoughts with the public on the fate of the Budget, or other current issues for that matter in these changing times.
Last Friday, City Council announced that they would be cancelling this Monday's City Council session, citing "a lack of business" as their reason to not appear in a public session in some pretty fascinating period of time.
For a review of the Pre COVID-19 budget planning see our archive page here.
Further notes on City Council discussions for when they choose to hold public sessions see our archive page here.
Cross posted from the North Coast Review.
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