City Spending Target Moved

Vernon council will have more flexibility to increase operational spending in next year’s budget.

Council will work towards hikes of no more than 1.9 percent — up from the 1.8 percent cap this year.

Mayor Akbal Mund says it provides more breathing room if there’s unexpected events.

“I mean the flooding alone,  we know there is going to be some costs to this. You’ve got to always plan for the future, and we don’t know what will come along next year,” Mund tells Kiss FM.

An online survey this year showed some support from city residents to increase spending to support services.

Councillor Bob Spiers was opposed to the change.

“I voted against it. I don’t like any target outside of inflation but it doesn’t really matter.”

Spiers says the figure is just a target, and he notes the operations budget went up by 1.5% this year, shy of the 1.8% cap.

The increase would bring an extra $35,000 in tax revenue to the city.

City taxpayers will also be subject to the infrastructure tax next year which was 1.9% this year, used to repair roads, sewers and sidewalks.

Pictured: Bob Spiers, Vernon councillor