Number Crunching Continues

By Corey Fischer

Nov 28, 2018 | 5:00 AM

Armstrong council continues to work on its 2019 budget, and is still looking to keep any tax hikes to within the cost of living.

Mayor Chris Pieper says they have heard from groups looking for grants, and will meet with Spallumcheen council today (Thursday) to talk about their co-funded programs which are parks and rec, fire department, and cemetery.

“We have joint programs with Spall, so we’ll be reviewing all of those in preparation for the budget,” Pieper tells Beach Radio News.

The mayor says council plans to have its main discussions about what’s in — and out — of the budget in a couple of weeks.

“We’ll put our wishes in and then, if we want to maintain service levels, then we have to make a choice. That’s what this whole process is about.”

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Policing costs will come in a statement from RCMP.

“We have a contract with them as of April 1, 2017. It’s renewable very five years. We have a pretty good idea what the costs are going to be, but there’s lots of fluctuating costs in there, like administration, office costs, and jail costs,” says Pieper.

Armstrong council will hold the line on water and sewer rates in 2019.

Pieper says they had substantial increases this year, which is why they wanted to flat line the fees for next year.

He says the city is also applying for grants to make water projects more affordable.

The city is trying to get its budget done several months earlier than past years.

by Corey Fischer