Red Deer city council shaved $216,000 off the municipal operating budget after three days of review.
Here’s how they managed to pare the municipal property tax increase to 4.32 from 4.55 originally set by administration.
The operating budget stood at $272,341,350 heading into debate, following a few minute add-ons, and at the end it came in at $272,607,477, thanks to a couple of projects funded at the end and through reserves.
l Exclude per diem rates given to council for attending meetings — minus $7,748.
l Legal fees to secondary suites — changed from $40,000 ongoing to one-time funding, which means it’s coming out of a reserve and does not impact overall operating budget figure.
l AHS medical inventory — changed from $45,000 ongoing to one-time funding.
l Secondary suites licensing revenue of $80,000 reversed.
l Safety charter, the ongoing portion, is changed — minus $100,000.
l Utility correction for facilities — changed from $113,124 ongoing to one-time funding.
l Increase funding to Waskasoo Environmental Education Society — plus $10,000.
l Reversed cost-savings on out-of-town retreat for senior management — added $7,500.
l Fluoride to water supply (error corrected not to be a cost savings) — added $75,000.
• Leave Central Alberta Economic Partnership funding in — changed from $27,563 ongoing to one-time, so coming out of reserve.
• Strategy fund for children and youth — reduced cost savings from $25,943 down to $10,943, so budget is now $15,000.
• Reduction of travel and accommodations for council retreats — minus $2,573.
• Reduce number of conferences attended by committee members — minus $240.
The operating budget rose by $266,127, including some of the above mentioned items for the tax rate increase, plus the following major items funded by reserves:
• Increased the operating budget by $260,000 for the preventive road maintenance program, which includes looking after potholes.
• The city’s membership in the Central Alberta Economic Partnership is approved for $9,188.