A2 . The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, May 18, 1994

City budget holds few surprises

NO NEW services, dut no service
culs either,

That’s how treasurer Keith
Norman summed up this year’s
city budget, passed by council
last week.

The city plans to spend a lotai
of $11.97 million this year, up
seven per cent from 1993,

However, more than half that
increase is covered by drawing on
last year’s. three quarter of a mil-
lion dollar surplus.

Norman said the large surplus
was the result of revenves coming
in higher than expected while
every department came in almost
exactly on budget.

The extra cash was spread right
across the board, he added, In-
yestment income, for exampie,

was $52,000 more than expected
while revenve from penatties and
interest for late tax payment was
nearly $80,000 above estimates.

With school taxes having now
been set at down 90 cents per
$1,000 of assessed value over last
year, Norman calculated the
break even point for residential
taxpayers was 11 per cent.

In other words, homeowners
would only pay more in taxes this
year if their home’s value had in-
creased in excess of 11 per cent.

Although the budget figures ap-
peared to: indicate a subsstantial
jump in capital project spending
this year, he cautioned the $1.1

million projection needed
qualifying.
The library expansion ac-

counted for $248,000 but part of
that was coming out of Kitimat-
Stikine regional district coffers
and the remainder from last
year’s surplus.

Most paving projects depended
on residents agreeing to pay for
ihe work through the local im-

provement progr) while the fate _
of others were linked lo obtaining:

provincial government grants.
Major sewer capital: projects
planned for this year include put-
ting in an additional tine on Gra-
bam between Eby and Kenney.
Engineering director Stew
Christensen-said this should solve
the problem of Hooded basements
in that area during periods of high
ow.

The water well at Frank St. ac~
counts for just about all spending
plans for the water capital budget.

However, whether that $1.2
million goes ahead or not
depends largely on obtaining an
$800,000 federal-provincial infra-
stmuciure grant.

Below is a list of budgeted ex-
penditures for each department
with percentage increase/decrease

- compared . to..actual spending. in

1993;

General government
$982,000. usccsssveesves 413.6%

Policing
$2.08 million

Fire department
$932,000... serccernen 410.5%

Building inspection
$372,000. csnsesseeseas wtL3.3%

Public Works
_ $2.3 million..... +5.6 per cent

Garbage collection

Recreation

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Pave plan hits budget pothole

But it may
bounce back

A PAVING PLAN for the city
that died during budget delibera-
tions may be resurrected through
referendum later this year.
Council last Thursday unveiled

a capital project budget which in-
cluded only one major road up-
grade: rebuilding Keith between
Kenney and Braun.

And even that could be
scrapped if the city cannot obtain
a federal-provinclal infrastructure
grant

Maintaining the city needed a
paving plan, councillor Rich
McDanicl said he would have
liked to see an extra $100 or so
tacked on to all tax bills to build
up a paving fund.

However, his colleagues did not
agree,

“Residential tax rates are at
saturation point,’ David Hull
said, noting he will pay nearly
$1,500 this year on a “‘modest
house’’.

Recalling the original paving
plan put forward two years ago
envisioned, spending $1 million
annually, Ed Graydon said “*I

Surpluses
not rich

THE CITY ‘budget may show
across-the-board surpluses, bul
treasurer Keith Norman warns
that wealth is illusory.

The city came out of last year
with a $740,000 surplus. How-
ever, council plans to spend more
than half of that this year.

Therefore, if all goes according
to budget this year, the city would
teach year end with only that
plan, the city would only have a
surplus of $309,000.

And that, Norman points out, is
about as low as it can go. The
idea of maintaining a substantial
surplus is to have money avail-
able in case of an emergency that
requires the spending of a sub-
stantial amount immediately.

It’s much the same story in the
water capilal account, he adds.

Although the surplus is
projected to hit $687,000 by Dec.
31, that's not a lot when com-
pared to the cost of major
projects.

For example, if the infrastruc-
ture grant does not come through
for the waler well, the city would
need to find an extra $800,000.

That would mean cither drin-
ing the surplus or borrowing or a
combination of the two.

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ONE OF THE first, and few paving projects being taken on by the city this year was black-topping

the parking lot outside the new animal shelter. Estimated cost for the job is $6,500.

don’t think we can squeeze an-
other million from residents.””

People were already complain-
ing about current lax levels, he
added.

McDaniel, however, pointed
out that when he publically
endorsed such a plan in early
April, nobody phoned him to
complain about the idea.

Engineering director Stew
Chrisiensen confirmed $1 million

would pay for only 3km of road
upgtading/paving,

And the city had more than 70km
of paved sireets at present.
Although the paving plan is dead
for now, Hull said the city would
be re-examining the original ver-
sion and updating cost estimates.
Graydon suggested council, after
looking at the revised version,
might decide to take the matter to
Teferendum.

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ROAD REPORT

Motorists are advised to watch for frost heaves and rough and muddy sections as
the frost leaves the ground, Expect winter conditions during night time hours. Watch |
for maintenance crews patching and repairing other winter damage.
To report road hazards call 638-8383 during office hours.

After hours call 1-800-665-5051,

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CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

Your Road Maintenance Contractor