It is a long process that is important to Humboldt.
Humboldt City Council continued budget talks during a special meeting on February 11.
City Council was focused on the capital side of the budget this time around, instead of all the water and sewer talk that has been the focus of the bulk of discussion in past budget meetings.
"It is a new council, so I am trying to structure it a little more so we get water and sewer out of the way, because that is supposed to be a self-sustaining component," explained Steve Brown, Director of Finance for the City. "Water fees are supposed to pay for the water operations. It is not supposed to draw any tax out of the system. Property taxes aren't supposed to pay for water utilities."
He explained now that Council has hashed out a five-year plan to look at approving for the water and sewer budget, they are now moving on to capital expenses for the City.
"On (February 11), what I was trying to do was educate council on some of the capital expenses coming up," said Brown.
He explained there are many areas council will have to look at in terms of capital expenses.
Roads will have to be replaced because of water and sewer replacements, there are new information technology investments at City Hall and many Leisure Services expenses coming up.
"About 60 per cent of capital requests on (February 11) were Leisure Services," said Brown.
Not many decisions were made during the meeting.
" They are going to get a new (road) grader," said Brown of the decisions that were made. "Our existing one is in good shape but it is a little under power for what we actually need in the city. They made a decision to go forward with purchasing a new grader."
They also approved finishing the renovations to the Merchants Bank Building, which will be under the direction of the Humboldt and District Museum and Gallery, and they decided to put a couple of security cameras into Leisure Services, in the front administration area of the Uniplex.
Brown would like to see a five-year plan developed for the capital expenses at the next budget meeting.
"We can't do everything this year," said Brown.
His goal is to have the budget finished before the end of March. The rest of the capital expenses will be discussed at a special budget meeting, to be held after a regular meeting of City Council on February 25.
