Subscribe to our daily newsletter
City council is expected to vote on administration's proposed 2023 budget at its Dec. 12 meeting. (file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)
Budget 2023

NB city council to vote on administration’s proposed budget

Dec 9, 2022 | 12:47 PM

North Battleford city council is expected to vote on administration’s proposed 2023 budget at its Dec. 12 regular meeting.

Based on the agenda released Dec. 8, administration is now proposing a total tax increase of 5.99 per cent including capital.

Originally, administration proposed a tax increase of 6.57 per cent in its budget draft document presented on Nov. 22. Following three budget deliberation meetings that wrapped up on Dec. 1, administration managed to bring down the proposed number, as a result of council’s discussions.

To reach the new proposed increase of 5.99 per cent, administration managed to shave off some item increases to bring the number first down to 5.06 per cent, plus a one per cent increase for the capital fund, for a total general tax rate increase of 6.06 per cent. Then, administration was able to further whittle away another 0.07 per cent from the 6.06 per cent, to bring the new proposed total down to a 5.99 per cent general tax rate increase.

For utilities, the proposal recommends water services see a 4.3 per cent increase and sewer services a 5.5 per cent increase. There is no increase proposed for Recreation and Cultural Capital Facilities (RCCF).

A five per cent increase was originally recommended by administration for the Underground Pipeline and Asphalt Replacement (UPAR) program. City administration is providing some possible options for council to consider related to UPAR, as well as for the proposed one per cent capital fund increase.

The city’s full agenda for the Dec. 12 meeting, including the latest 2023 budget proposal, is available at the City of North Battleford’s website.

Council will have an opportunity to discuss administration’s proposal for the budget, and will likely vote on it at the upcoming meeting.

The public can attend the meeting at the Don Ross Centre at 6:30 p.m., or view it online through the city’s link provided.

Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

View Comments