Budget 2009 - Is 7% too much or not enough?
We are in the final stages of our budget deliberations. Staff and council have worked really hard to keep the tax increase to a minimum. Right now it looks like we are at 4.8% general tax increase plus 2.2% for the Coast Meridian Overpass. This would bring the total tax increase to 7%. Included in this budget is funding for three new police officers. However, this budget includes a reduction of the amount we put toward road rehabilitation and other infrastructure projects.
Around the council table, there is a desire to increase the budget past 7% in order to maintain the funding for infrastructure and to hire an environmental technician, among other items. For more details, visit our budget page here.
What are your thoughts? Are you okay to have a 7.2% or 7.5% tax increase to maintain the service levels of roads and other items, or is 7% your limit? Or, if you are okay with a higher tax increase, what areas do you think we could add more funds to?
On the other hand, if you want to reduce the budget further, what areas would you look at reducing?
Thank you for your help. If you would like to discuss the budget, please give me a call at 604-927-5416 or send me an email at greg@gregmoore.caThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Thanks for your time,
Greg
