The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor Flin Flon City Council proposes to boost spending, tackle debt and inject major dollars into capital projects _ all without raising taxes. Council's proposed 2012 budget, unveiled Tuesday, is highlighted by $11.7 million in overall spending and a residential mill rate unchanged from last year. 'Last year we made a commitment to the taxpayers of this community that we would take some time to look at our operations to ensure efficient spending of our dollars,' said Coun. Colleen McKee, chair of the Finance Committee. 'We've done that.' The budget lifts spending by $703,700, a 6.4 per cent rise over the $11 million spent in 2011. Council has allotted $1.97 million for capital projects this year, including a $768,920 payment on the new water treatment plant and $246,000 for road work. Coun. McKee said council has identified about $500,000 in savings that, barring something unexpected, can be realized this year. Pay down debt Those dollars will help pay down the municipal debt, which has grown in recent years due to infrastructure projects like the new water lines from Cliff Lake and the water treatment plant. 'This permits us to attempt to free up future spending,' said Coun. McKee, addressing colleagues, the media and the public at City Hall. Coun. McKee said that while the residential tax rate remains level, some residents will see higher bills because the provincially assessed value of their homes increased. The commercial tax rate, meanwhile, will actually decrease slightly by 1.49 per cent. Hudbay, which pays the city a grant in lieu of taxes, will contribute $5.3 million to municipal coffers. Helping outline the budget was city treasurer Glenna Daschuk, who said the municipality had to contend with a variety of rising costs, including labour and electricity. And while overall revenues are projected to rise, Daschuk said a government grant went down by about $100,000 due to new census figures showing Flin Flon's population declined. To help control costs, Coun. McKee said council has struck an ad-hoc committee with a mandate to develop application guidelines for outside organizations seeking city funding. See 'Bomba...' on pg. 6 Continued from pg. 1 'Too often, we are bombarded with financial requests for support,' she said. 'Our solution is to ask the organizations who are making the requests to provide us with more complete information to enable us to make better decisions. This council supports our organizations and our volunteers, but we need to ensure accountability.' The budget remains tentative at this point, but is expected to pass as is through a vote of council. The budget requires three readings at two council meetings, meaning it could become law on June 5. A look at some specific costs within the budge: $1.3 million for RCMP and $424,302 for fire protection. $756,260 for general administration. $322,325 for garbage collection. $390,000 for snow removal and $73,000 for street cleaning. $638,907 to operate the Whitney Forum and $492,970 for the Aqua Centre.
