Residents have an opportunity to weigh in on the City of Powell River’s proposed five-year financial plan at a public meeting next week.
The meeting will take place at 7 pm on Monday, May 7 in the Arbutus Room at Powell River Recreation Complex. Doors open at 6:30 pm.
Copies of the 2012-2016 financial plan are available at city hall, 6910 Duncan Street.
The plan includes a 3.8 per cent tax increase for residential properties and one per cent for businesses. There is a five per cent increase in sewer fees and 10 per cent hike in water fees.
Revenues from the tax increase are slated to be put into
reserves for asset management.
The plan also has a number of service and staff cuts, designed to reduce an initial $630,000 shortfall in the 2012 operations budget.
CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) BC has issued a press release about the budget. “Dramatic cuts to municipal services will affect the quality of services residents receive in Powell River, warns CUPE Local 798,” the release states. CUPE 798 represents more than 150 inside and outside workers in the city.
The proposed 2012 budget includes cuts that would reduce hours for transit, reduce bylaw enforcement services, cut parks and recreation services and increase water and sewer fees, the release continues.
“Our members take pride in the services we provide to Powell River residents,” said Danielle Craigen, president of CUPE 798 in the release. “Once we eliminate services, it is not only hard to bring them back, but also expensive. Cutting services is not what is best for our community, we need to explore alternatives.”
Craigen also noted that the city has run annual surpluses for years and has been slowly saving for projects such as infrastructure upgrades. “The local is seeking a meeting with the mayor and city councillors to discuss alternatives to these dramatic cuts,” the release states.
According to a city release about the budget, members of CUPE Local 798 and International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1298 have been consulted regarding the operational changes. “Council anticipates that both unions will work collaboratively with the city in implementing the changes. In considering the 2012 budget, council focused on minimizing the taxation impact on city taxpayers, supporting and maintaining financial sustainability and living within our means.”
