(City of North Battleford)

By Angela Brown

Budget 2021

City proposing one per cent property tax increase in 2021 budget

Dec 1, 2020 | 10:01 AM

The City of North Battleford has released its proposed budget for 2021 that reflects a one per cent tax increase to ratepayers.

Administration stated in the introduction to the budget package the city had “a very challenging year” in 2020 due to the financial impact of COVID-19, and needed to make some short-term operational adjustments in response.

The 2021 budget proposal indicates a one per cent increase for property tax and zero per cent increase for utility charges. A one per cent tax increase will generate about $135,000 in revenue.

“The one per cent [request] is strictly for capital,” City Manager Randy Patrick said, adding there is no increase proposed for operations or utilities.

The city indicated it has managed to offset some of its reduced revenue in the past two years by finding efficiencies wherever possible, as directed by council.

Riderville

Shades of 2007

15h ago

BODY-WORM CAMERAS

RCMP begins nationwide rollout of body cameras for frontline officers

Nov 15, 2024

Inflation

Rent inflation to slow in the next few years, Desjardins predicts

Nov 14, 2024

“It’s always a challenge. But we have been working on it for a couple of years now to keep those rates low,” Patrick said.

The city indicated among its priorities for the year ahead, it aims to continue to align activities to improve operations.

For the year ahead administration stated the city needs to continue to look for efficiencies within operations to respond to anticipated financial challenges; allocate reserve transfers within existing budget documents so money is set aside for future renewals, such as fleet as current reserves are insufficient to meet future needs.

The city also needs to improve communication and planning related to the city’s financial position, by highlighting the current state of such items such as tax enforcement, reserves and cost per resident.

Other goals are to improve interaction around the city’s budgetary process with the community by providing sufficient lead time to read the budget ahead of public discussions.

The city also aims to continue to invest in infrastructure through the Underground Pipe and Asphalt Replacement (UPAR) program, which has a combined budget of $3.2 million for 2021.

The public can view the proposed 2021 budget document on the city’s website link.

Budget deliberation meetings start Dec. 3 via Zoom. Council is expected to approve the final draft of the budget at its Dec. 14 meeting or early in January, 2021.

–

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW