Day five recap: City of Lethbridge budget deliberations

According to a media release from the city, the following items were included in the fifth day of budget talks on Friday, November 18, 2022:

N-43: Economic Development Lethbridge – Operational Excellence
- Proposed funding source is taxation for $51,694 in 2023, $84,261 in 2024, $106,624 in 2025 and $129,434 in 2026, as well as a Municipal Revenue Stabilization Reserve (MRSR) one-time allocation of $57,000 in 2023, $46,500 in 2024, $41,500 in 2025 and $24,000 in 2026.
- From a unanimous vote, this recommendation will move forward and be added to the draft budget for potential approval.
- If the project is approved, this would capture incremental costs of wage and benefit inflation, as well as a provision for replacement of the organization’s aging website and digital platform.
N-44: Environment Lethbridge – Fee for Service
- Proposed funding source is taxation for $28,000 per year in each of the four years in the budget cycle, as well as utility charges for $42,000 per year in each of the four years in the budget cycle. Funding for 2025 and 2026 will be contingent upon a review and report back to Council through the Civic Works SPC by December 2024.
- From a unanimous vote, this recommendation will move forward and be added to the draft budget for potential approval. If the project is approved, this would provide core funding in support of Environment Lethbridge’s strategic priorities.
- Administration and Environment Lethbridge would also work with the University of Lethbridge to explore a strategic plan for the mutual interests and work of both organizations.

New items introduced Friday:

C-13: Honorariums for Boards, Commissions and Committees (BCCs)
- Proposed funding source is taxation for $42,000 per year in each of the four years in the budget cycle.
- From a unanimous vote, this recommendation will move forward and be added to the draft budget for potential approval.
- Administration would also be asked to develop a policy and report back through Governance SPC.

The recommendations moving forward will be sent to city council for potential approval at its regular meeting on November 29, 2022.

Members must approve an operating budget by December 31, 2022, in order for the city to pass a property tax bylaw.

The full draft 2023-2026 Operating Budget can be accessed on the city’s website.

by David Opinko

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