Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Dec 09/98) - "Point of interest, Mr. chairman, we're now $281,000 over budget, $581,000 if we replenish the contingency fund."

That was one of a long list of reminders council received, most of them courtesy of Coun. Blake Lyons, of the effect spending decisions will have on the bottom line.

Often the reminders were given as the degree of tax increase which would be required to offset the deficit. The finance-department-calculated property taxes will have to be increased one per cent for every $138,000 the city spends over and above what it takes in.

A zero deficit budget was not as sacred to all as it was to Lyons. A case in point was the debate over a recycling depot proposed for the dump. And hiring someone to run it.

"It involves setting priorities -- we can take care of our waste now or leave it for our grandchildren to take care of," said Coun. Kevin O'Reilly, who argued for the facility and a waste management co-ordinator to manage it.

The draft budget earmarked $75,000 for the construction of a "take it or leave it" 145 square metre shed at the dump, something those concerned about waste management have requested each of the past three years.

The facility was to be run by volunteers, an idea O'Reilly called "ridiculous." But, his request that $70,000 be used to pay for a waste management co-ordinator to run the building was voted down last week.

Monday night, after concluding its review of the draft budget, council was $380,000, or 2.76 per cent in tax increases, in the hole.

To make up the shortfall, council agreed to Mayor Dave Lovell's suggestion to cancel a planned $250,000 renovation to city hall chambers.

Coun. Dave Ramsay's suggestion that the sodding of the St. Joe's ball diamond also be laid aside, was accepted as well. His suggestion to scrap the shed was voted down 3-2, leaving a shortfall of about $125,000.

Though it is unlikely any major changes will be made, to date, all of the decisions made by councillors on the budget are in the form of recommendations from the priorities, planning and budget committee.

Final decisions on the budget are to be made by council at a special meeting scheduled for Dec. 15.