North Battleford Finance Director Steve Brown presented a new user-friendly version of the city's 2018 annual report at council's recent meeting. (file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

New publication

City offers reader-friendly review of 2018 finances

Sep 26, 2019 | 12:03 PM

Those interested in seeing highlights from the City of North Battleford’s activities last year in an easily digestible package will now be able to do just that with this latest report.

Finance Director Steve Brown and city administrators worked together to develop the new 2018 annual report presentation available to the public on the city’s website. The report breaks down the expenses and reserves per department and includes graphics to offer better insight into the municipality’s projects and services.

Mayor Ryan Bater said while the financial information has already been presented to council, this report helps communicate the city’s affairs in a more user-friendly format.

“It provides a nice comprehensive view of the city government – its activities and how it is allocating resources within the government,” Bater said. “So I really hope the public takes the time to get a copy, and read it. It will be available in the city.”

The mayor said in the past people have had to wade through a sea of text to glean pertinent facts. Now the process will be much easier.

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“It really paints a nice visual picture of where people’s tax dollars are going and where investments are being made,” Bater said. “We’re going to hand it out to elected representatives at the provincial and federal level as well as neighbouring municipalities and the province of Saskatchewan.”

Some of details include information on policing services. The report shows 2018 policing services cost per resident was $349.41. Fire services cost each resident $195.40 for department fees last year. Also included are details about costs for projects, such as the underground pipes and asphalt replacement work (UPAR), for example.

Brown describes the report presentation as simple and concise.

“It’s to educate the residents. This is what we spend on our services,” he said.

The mayor said the city produces an annual report every year but this report is “definitely upping its game, in terms of presentation to the public.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow