Battleford financial update close to budget overall

Total expenditures were budgeted at about $5.7 million, and at the end of the third quarter amounted to $3.9 million.

“Expenses seem to be tracking below budget, which is always a good sign to see that the town departments are finding ways to run leaner, and not exactly use all the costs and expenses they had budgeted for,” the mayor said.

Leslie added there is also still some federal and provincial funding to come through before the end of the year to add to the revenues.

An anomaly in the latest report, Police Services expenditures came in at $334,472 at the end of the third quarter for the year to date, while the annual budget was for $297,700. Leslie mentioned the town’s budget for policing was off this year compared to the actual cost to date, due to the town’s calculation oversight in setting the budget amount for this category.

Another item of note under revenues is the town’s budget for Licenses and Permits was low at $49,500 estimated for 2018, compared to the $125,168 actual cost for the year to date at the end of the third quarter. Leslie said the positive difference reflects some unprecedented growth in the town as well as the planned development of the new Thunderchild First Nation cannabis production site. Building permits in particular have come in much higher than anticipated.

Otherwise, most of the numbers in the three-quarter report for the year to date were close to expected.

Leslie said the town will soon be going into its 2019 budget discussions starting in about 30 to 45 days.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW

by Angela Brown

Battleford financial update close to budget overall

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