Thin crowd at city budget meeting

News — 11 October 2011

By Ally Dunham

Dryden city council hosted their first public meeting regarding the 2012 city budget. Although only a handful of residents came out who were not city staff, the discussion that took place was challenging to the administration, as well as informative.

The meeting opened with a presentation to the public on the budget process for the year, with dates presented. November 14 is to be the establishment of budget parameters, with senior management to table the first draft of the 2012 operating and capital budgets at the city council meeting.

November 21 will see the second round of public consultation, with another opportunity for residents to provide input to council and staff.

The city reported a $25.1 million operating budget revenue and expenditures for 2011, with taxes bringing in the highest percentage of income at 39 per cent.

Following taxes was licenses, fines, rents, fees and user charges at 23 per cent, an unconditional grant at 14 per cent, provincial grants at 10 per cent, DMTS dividends and other income both at five per cent, federal grants at two per cent, and payment in lieu of taxation at one per cent.

The expenditures column saw 46 per cent paid out in salaries, wages and employee benefits, followed by materials at 26 per cent, contributions to other organizations such as the Northwestern Health Unit, KDSB and the Home for the Aged at 12 per cent, principal on long term debt at five per cent, contracted services at four per cent, transfer to capital fund at three per cent, interest on long-term debt at two per cent and rents and financial expenses at one per cent.

The city listed outstanding debt as at Dec. 31, 2011 at $35,290,331. This includes $600,000 for water services, $14,233,038 for sewer services, $12,981,401 for Dryden Mobility, $4,130,446 for the Home for the Aged, and $3,345,446 for Municipal Tax Base.

The hot button items at the meeting from the public included the a multi-use facility at the Dryden soccer fields by New Prospect as well as a better drainage system, maintaining a high quality of life in the community, upgrading the “Welcome to Dryden” signs at the entrances to town, increasing economic development, and the city becoming more fiscally responsible.

Some issues were debated that were more of a provincial initiative, including the pros and cons to a by-pass surrounding Dryden, the need for better infrastructure in and around the community, as well as the high cost of hydro.

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