It was a near-empty house at a public meeting regarding White Rock’s proposed financial plan Monday.
One resident took the podium to speak on the 2011-2015 plan that, if approved by council, will increase property taxes by 3.91 per cent in order to generate funds for the city’s $25.8-million general operating budget for this year.
Ken Jones asked why last year’s review of a shared fire services agreement with Surrey – and the up to $1 million such an arrangement could potentially save a year – wasn’t taken into consideration for this year’s budget.
“I think that the item is so important that it should’ve been brought forward at this public meeting for people to comment on it,” Jones said.
Acting mayor Doug McLean said he understood the city’s opportunity to contract out fire services was limited to last year’s budget.
“I believe that the offer from the Surrey fire department was contingent upon a certain time period when a decision would have to be made,” he said.
“That option may not necessarily be available to us, however, if it does come up again, I’m sure this council or a future council will take another look at it.”
Jones also asked if there are substantial surpluses left in the drainage and sanitary sewer reserves.
“I’m just wanting to be reassured there will be funds for contingencies,” he said, noting potential cost overruns on capital projects.
“Are we going to have sufficient reserves created to be able to handle the capital costs or are we going to be faced with substantial increases in taxes to be able to cover them in the next five years?”
Financial services director Sandra Kurylo said the lowest drainage reserves are expected to go is $207,000, while the lowest sanitary sewer reserves are projected to go is $830,000.
There is also a contingency in the general operating budget in the range of $370,000, Kurylo noted.
The proposed financial plan is anticipated to receive third reading Feb. 21 and adoption March 7.