YORKTON - People in Yorkton can finally get a look at the city’s 2023 operating and capital budgets.
The first draft of the City’s 2024 operational and capital budgets were presented to Council at the Jan. 8, 2024 Regular Council Meeting, explained Amber Matechuk – City Controller with the city at the regular meeting of Council Monday (Jan. 29).
At the Jan. 8 meeting, Council directed Administration to continue budget analysis and provide further reductions before presenting the draft budget for public.
Matechuk said, over the recent weeks further changes have been made; resulting in additional savings.
Changes from that initial budget include:
*Reduction in staffing costs in conjunction with planned retirements,
*Reduction in the number of city-owned fleet vehicles (1/2 tons used by staff),
*Reduction of staff car allowances.
As a result, approximately $119,084 in savings were found through these planned reductions.
However, not all of the savings result in a lower tax increase.
Since $72,203 is within the waterworks budget, this does not help reduce the proposed tax rate increase, because the waterworks budget is reflected through the utility rates, related Matechuk.
The remaining $46,881 does affect the tax rate, and helps reduce the proposed tax increase.
With the modest changes the proposed budget presented Monday includes an increase in taxation revenue, broken down as follows:
* Operations 2.5 per cent,
* Capital 1.0 per cent,
* Total 3.5 per cent.
“The proposed increase in taxation revenue sits below the rate of inflation,” she added.
The estimated impact to the average residential homeowner will be approximately a $6.15 a month, or roughly twice that for an equally value commercial property.
With unanimous support Monday the proposed budget will now be posted on the city website, and the local newspaper to allow public feedback before final Council approval.
Taxpayers are encouraged to review the package, and contact Administration with any comments or questions, said Matechuk.
Online feedback forms are available through the city website at www.yorkton.ca/budget
Administration will bring the budget back to Council Feb. 26 for adoption.
