Council for the District of Squamish is taking a stand against the province's decision to bill the town for 90 per cent of RCMP costs.
Although nothing is set in stone, the latest round of budget deliberations during 10-hour marathon sessions Monday and Tuesday (April 20 21) revealed a few of council's priorities as they face a three week deadline for filing a balanced budget.
The most recent revised budget reflects council's request for a four per cent tax decrease, and although all members agree it's too early to tell, there's little chance a reduction will occur. However council is still determined not to pass substantial tax increases, said Coun. Corinne Lonsdale in an interview.
"I think we're focused in the right direction and pretty determined that we need to achieve that minimal or zero tax increase," said Lonsdale.
A significant step in that direction was achieved when more than $700,000 was knocked off to accommodate 70 per cent of the RCMP contract for $2.3 million, rather than 90 per cent total of $3.1 million.
The last census indicated the local population is just below 15,000, requiring payment 70 per cent of the RCMP tab. But a provincial reassessment indicated Squamish is over the 15,000 mark, so 90 per cent is expected.
"We're basically sticking to our guns with the interpretation of the law," said Coun. Patricia Heintzman. "The law says it's the census, not some B.C. re-jigged numbers of the census -it is the census."
A contingency fund of $300,000 would make up for the shortfall if the district loses the battle, said Mayor Greg Gardner.
Another cutback was made by eliminating $17,000 in trails maintenance in favour of putting $5,000 towards establishing a masterplan for the area's various networks, which involve provincial, private and municipal property.
"This dovetails with the provincial process that is on-going to authorize trails on Crown Land," said Gardner. "And that would legitimize any trails construction and maintenance on those lands when that process is completed."
Vocal trails advocate Coun. Bryan Raiser agreed this was the right step.
"I haven't kept it a secret - we need a masterplan. We can't just keep sticking our fingers in the holes that keep popping up," he said. "I'm optimistic about the trails in Squamish - of course it's things I can't talk about. It's a dog breakfast of landowners. You've got the province, the private and municipal. So it's really tough."
Another item going by the wayside is a $25,000 green building policy. Heintzman said that this, along with the decision not to replace the environmental co-ordinator position, is thinking myopically rather than strategically, and will cost taxpayers more in the long run.
"You look at for example our utility cost, and how much we pay for energy at all of our buildings, let alone all the other buildings in the community - the Adventure Centre is in $40,000 range, the new Seniors Centre is estimated to be a $48,000 utility bill every year - we're talking hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy that if we think proactively and progressively now, it will save us tons of money in the near future and in the long term future," said Heintzman. "I worry that because of the economic downturn that we over-react and we become really opportunistic about cutting as opposed to opposed to strategic."
The downturn in the economy is hitting the district's revenue stream, said Gardner, and the budget reflects a decrease in building permits. Another hit to revenue was a lower tax assessment roll than predicted, said Gardner.
"We've just received a revised property tax roll assessment, and that has resulted in correction to our revenue estimates, and a reduction in municipal tax revenue of approximately $450,000. So that in itself results in almost a three per cent difference in the budget."
Another significant challenge is borrowing, which council is "very, very concerned" about, said Lonsdale.
Although members have yet to delve into capital expenditure portion of the budget, the document shows millions of dollars in projects would be funded through long term debt.
Despite the challenges, however, council supported additions to the budget such as more funds for snow removal, the return of the Neighbourhood Energy Utility Implementation Plan, and significant funds added back into the budget for the operating costs of the Seniors Centre.
Council returns to Municipal Hall for budget deliberations today (Friday, April 24) as well as Tuesday (April 28) and if needed, Thursday (April 30).
