City council tossed the draft budget back to administrators last week and asked them to find $100,000 in possible cuts, deferred spending or new revenue sources. Councillors remain divided on the role administrators should play in setting budget priorities, but agree on that next year things will be different.
Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Dec 13/00) - Administrators have offered Yellowknife council 20 ways to avoid raising taxes in next year's budget.
The list of cuts, deferrals and revenue increases worth $308,500 got mixed reviews at Monday's priorities, policies and budget committee meeting.
"I don't see some of my suggestions here on the list," said Wendy Bisaro, whose demand for choices tossed the budget plan back in the laps of administrators.
Bisaro had proposed an end to the free lunches councillors enjoy at committee meetings. She intends to raise the topic when the committee chews over the administration hit list next Monday.
The final budget recommendations go to City Council later the same day. Council must come up with the 2001 budget before Dec. 31.
Senior administrator Max Hall was not apologetic about the suggestions that range from cutting back on the pins that city gives visitors, to raising building permit fees and parking meter rates.
"Council gave us the directive (to find $100,000) and that's what we did," said Hall.
Other councillors also gave the list mixed reviews.
"(The suggestions) weren't in the direction I wanted them to look at," said Coun. Alan Woytuik.
"(Administration) should have looked at day to day operations were they could find $1,000 here and $2,000 there," said Woytuik.
Coun. Ben McDonald disagreed with administration's suggested cuts to long-term planning.
McDonald called a proposal to put the $19,000 waterfront Study and $20,000 fire and ambulance strategic plan on the line "foolish."
"Some things bother me less than others," said McDonald.
Coun. Robert Hawkins says the list of suggestions doesn't address everything he would like to see cut.
"I'm willing to see council take a hit on travel expenses," said Hawkins.
"And does the (senior city administrator) need an expenses account of $15,000?"
Coun. Kevin O'Reilly declined to comment on the list.
Hall said council doesn't have to follow administration's recommendations.
"Anything is open," he said.
In a rare move last Monday, council threw the budget back at administration with the directive to find $100,000. They disagreed with the amount allotted for special grants and the contingency fund.
Council wanted contingency fund raised to $138,000 from $58,000 and special grants to increase to $100,000 to $50,000.
Administrations suggested cuts and deferrals
Possible cuts:
Potential revenue increase
