Hiring freeze in 2011 draft city budget

News — 23 February 2011

Three positions will not be filled if the fifth and current draft of the 2011 City of Dryden operating budget is passed by council.

Two new positions the city was looking at were a full time cultural planner and event planner. The third is the position of the facilities manager, which was left vacant by retirement in February 2011. These duties are to be reassigned within the current structure.

The fifth draft of the operating budget, and sixth draft of the capital budget were presented to council at the Feb. 21 regular council meeting.

Most councillors stated they would be going through the proposed budget very carefully.

Other changes being proposed within the draft are a minimal tax increase on municipal taxes, at a rate of 2.8 per cent. Director of Corporate Services/Treasurer, Linda McNaughton, says city residents should see a slight decrease in the education taxes, bringing the total overall tax change to residents to a 2.2 per cent increase.

Some other major impacts of the 2011 budget to all residents and businesses may include a five per cent increase to most user and service fees, effective July 1, an increase in long term debt of over $2.9 million for the municipal side as well as $600,000 for waterworks.

The city is also looking at no increase in staffing levels with a hiring freeze, no significant reduction in the reserves, no significant reduction in service levels and sale of surplus lands.

There is expected to be no change in the overall contribution from DMTS dividends which are currently $1.25 million. This contribution is expected to grow in the future as DMTS pursues its aggressive growth plan.

The Dryden Development Corporation (DDC) has not submitted their 2011 budget as yet. Due to the lack of additional information from the DDC, the senior management team have reduced their 2011 budget by $100,000 to reflect the excess retained earnings currently being held from prior years’ surpluses.

The budget process is expected to be complete by March 14, 2011 at a proposed special meeting of council, with the adoption of the yearly estimates. Tax ratios and rates will be set later in the spring of 2011 following a final draft of the 2010 year end results.

By Ally Dunham

By Chris Marchand Concerned taxpayers will soon get what they’ve long been calling for — a chance to look at the financial picture of the Dryden’s Municipal Telephone Service and Mobility ...

Unease lingers in council over tone of debate

By Chris Marchand Councillor Mel Fisher spoke at length, March 12 on his views that city council is promoting a culture of negativity in its political churnings of late. In the matter ...

Four candidates step forward for council byelection

By Chris Marchand Former city councillor Mike Wood’s vacant seat on Dryden City Council is proving to be a sought-after post. Thus far, four local candidates have officially filed the prescribed forms ...

No ministerial meetings for delegation at Good Roads conference

By Chris Marchand Though provincial cabinet ministers are snubbing the Dryden delegation at the annual Ontario Good Roads Association and Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference in Toronto this week, Mayor ...

Don’t stop talking now, Dryden

By Chris Marchand I think the fact that four people have stepped forward as candidates for a single vacant seat on city council is awfully impressive. While it may be shortsighted to ...

Water meter billing model in development, expected in Spring

By Chris Marchand Residents and businesses could begin getting a preview of the city’s new metered water billing process as soon as April. City of Dryden Director of Engineering Michael Louttit says ...

Budget passed: staff struggle to maintain service levels amidst inflation, spiking costs and falling revenues

By Chris Marchand After months of drafts and difficult decisions, Dryden City Council approved a final draft of the 2012 budget by a vote of 4-2. Councillors Ken Moss, Mel Fisher, Martin ...

To the editor:

Budget trimmed in draft

By Ally Dunham Director of Corporate Services/Treasurer for the City of Dryden, Linda McNaughton, reported to mayor and council at the Dec. 12 Committee of the Whole meeting that the 2012 ...

City not alone in solving deer problem

It’s encouraging to see the City of Dryden finally agree to engage citizens on the matter of urban deer sometime in the new year. As ripe for parody as the topic ...

City to release DMTS financials early next week

Unease lingers in council over tone of debate

Four candidates step forward for council byelection

No ministerial meetings for delegation at Good Roads

Don’t stop talking now, Dryden

Water meter billing model in development, expected in

Budget passed: staff struggle to maintain service levels

To the editor:

Budget trimmed in draft

City not alone in solving deer problem