Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 24/01) - A decision to adopt a three-year budget coupled with staff turnovers is forcing city hall to ask for a ministerial extension to complete next year's budget in January.

During a committee meeting Monday afternoon, Max Hall, senior administrator, told council city bureaucrats needed more time.

He said the increased workload from writing the budget and staff turnover pinched resources.

"It's humanly possible (to finish by December), but it would be better to do it in January," said Hall.

Hall said the city could muster an unpolished product by December that would need tuning in January.

According to a redrafted budget calender, the budget is scheduled for adoption on Jan. 21.

The city needs permission from the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs to extend the legislated deadline of Dec. 31 for a city budget.

A MACA spokesperson said it's not common for municipalities to ask for an extension but he couldn't say how often it happened.

"We don't track it really closely so I can't tell you how often or who, but it's not a frequent occurrence," said Shaun Dean.

He said Rae-Edzo received an extension last year.

Dean said the city contacted the department but wouldn't speculate on the MACA Minister Roger Allen's possible response.

Council seemed torn on the issue. Councillors Robert Hawkins and Dave Ramsay want administration to draft an interim budget by the deadline, finalizing it in January.

"I personally would rather see an interim budget rather than delay approval," said Hawkins.

"We should work our butts off and get it done," said Ramsay.

Other councillors said they could be swayed either way.

"I just want to take the path of least resistance," Coun. Ben McDonald.

Council decided to opt for the three-year plan early this summer on a recommendation from administration.

McDonald said a three-year budget allows for better planning and uses the budget process more efficiently.