Committee Approves Draft Budget After Finding Savings

Josh Pringle with Stephanie Kinsella
Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Councillors on the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee reduced its request for new funding in the 2010 draft budget.

After a page-by-page review of the 2010 draft budget, the committee voted to do away from $794-thousand in proposed initiatives.

Councillor Steve Desroches calls the savings a step in the right direction, but further scrutiny is needed.

The Corporate Services Branch is seeking a 4.4 per cent increase in spending next year, which would translate into a 0.56 per cent tax hike.

Staff are seeking millions of dollars for information technology. Deputy City Manager Steve Kanellakos says investments totaling $46 million are needed, including $25 million in new IT investments.