by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 09/98) - A discussion of budget cuts in light of recent gold-mine cutbacks will be among the items on the agenda for city council at a strategic planning meeting tomorrow.

At the closed meeting council will chart its course and identify its priorities for the coming year.

Those priorities will include being prepared for the shutdown, if it occurs, of one or both mines in the city.

"Right now, nothing's happened that means we have to make cuts right this second," Ald. Robert Slaven said Tuesday.

Before the layoff of 120 people at Con mine shortly after Christmas, Slaven suggested the city prepare alternative budgets accounting for the loss in revenue mine shutdowns would cause.

Slaven said that, though the layoffs will have an effect, it won't be as immediate as a mine closure.

Miramar Con mine was the city's top taxpayer last year, contributing $1,078,282 to city coffers. Royal Oak, owners of Giant Mine, paid $780,317.

It is unclear if the mines would pay 1998 taxes if they closed. Both lease the land they are working from the territorial government.

According to city administrator Doug Lagore, the mines are liable for property taxes for the life of their leases.

"Whether they're in a position to pay or not is another matter," Lagore added.

Slaven said the strategy session will also include the city's plans for downtown and Old Town.