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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
An events co-ordinator position for the city and funding for the ski club were two of the ideas bandied about when council discussed the city's 2012 budget last week.

Coun. Bob Brooks: 3.08 per cent a good target for a tax hike that can be lowered before 2012. - NNSL file photo

Coun. Bob Brooks said he is interested in having an events co-ordinator position incorporated into the city's Community Services Department, though only if it can be done without having to hire a new full-time staff member. He said he's "not keen" on paying out an extra full person-year of pay when property taxes are on the rise – they're projected to increase by three per cent in 2012. But he thinks the position would be beneficial to Yellowknife in helping prevent the demise of such festivals as Raven Mad Daze and Caribou Carnival. Brooks said the co-ordinator could rally volunteers and organizers, and help out in other ways with city events.

Brooks also said he hopes to see a lower tax increase than the projected 3.08 per cent.

"I was encouraged that at least we're starting with a much lower number than last year," he said, citing the example where a nearly seven-per cent projection was reduced to 3.99 per cent.

Brooks said a tax increase is often necessary, and tax freezes can be detrimental to the city as in the past when the tax rate didn't keep up with inflation. All the same, Brooks said this latest projected tax hike could be lower and it's time to tighten belts.

"I don't think that this is the time for any new services," he said.

Coun. David Wind said the three-per-cent tax increase, with a one per cent expected increase in tax base, was "still, as a starting point, worrying." He said he would be looking through the budget to find areas where he thinks the city could curb spending.

The only other councillor to speak on the issue during Monday's meeting was Shelagh Montgomery, who said she'd like to see the city honour a request made by the Yellowknife Ski Club for increased support by the city for things such as trail lighting and maintenance, plowing service for the parking lot, operations and maintenance assistance, and inclusion in the city's online reservation system.

"We could do a little more to support the volunteers (who run the club)," Montgomery said.

A draft 2012 budget is expected to be available to the public by Nov. 14.

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