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 draft budget has currently been cut by approximately $8.5 million.

The first draft of the 2012 budget showed a deficit of $3.069 million for the operating budget, as well as an $8.161 million budget for capital projects.

The report submitted for information only to council showed that the operating budget is now on its sixth draft, and shows the deficit at $1.549 million, reflecting a difference of $1.519 million.

The capital budget showed a fourth draft budget of $1.226 million, with a difference of $6.935 million.

The report states that the capital budget has been reduced to the bare bones with very little opportunity for further reductions without impacting service levels and there are a total of 38 of 69 capital projects remaining in the fourth draft.

“There were a lot of capital projects cut because we just can’t afford them. It’s not going to be a very nice budget this time. It’s going to be really rough,” said mayor Craig Nuttall. “Service levels so far are not cut, we’re going to keep the same service levels. But, I think next year we’re going to have to look very closely at what we’re going to do and there could be some levels cut next year.”

McNaughton is to make a full presentation to mayor and council at the Dec. 19 Regular Council meeting.