Vernon city council discussing 2023 budget

That figure does not include a request to hire two new officers at a cost of $414,000.

“We’re hoping those two additional members can be used on a front-line response,” Baher told Vernon Matters. “We are doing the job, but we can make improvements. Those two additional officers will help us make improvements, especially to front-line policing.”

Baher added more members on the street would mean “getting to calls faster and investigating faster.”

It was noted that the city has a police reserve of $1.9-million to be accessed for investigating major crimes.

Vernon Fire Rescue Services presented a budget of $7.4 million, up 3.35 per cent form the previous year.

The fire department has requested an additional $171,321 to hire an additional deputy fire chief (DFC).

Mayor Victor Cumming suggested deferring the DFC request at the meeting Monday morning, but it was noted by other councillors that next year’s budget will have to include hiring four new firefighters at a cost of $570,000, and there was hesitancy in pushing back this year’s hire and adding to next year’s expenditures.

The motion, as presented, was carried with Cumming and Councillor Brian Guy voting in opposition.

Council then heard from Operations Services.

It was stated the total estimated budget for the department had been set at $11.4 million for 2023, marking a 2.607 per cent annual increase.

The department oversees public works, infrastructure management, facility maintenance, fleet management and utilities, all of which saw increases of over two per cent annually. However, the general operations budget within that department declined by over nine per cent as funding of select services has been allocated to other sources.

Council then heard a presentation on Community Infrastructure and Development, which had a proposed budget set at roughly $4.7 million, down 0.113 per cent from the previous year.

It was noted during the presentation that, as of the end of November, the city’s building permit value was past the $191 million mark, surpassing the previous year-end total and setting the city on track to potentially reach $200 million by the end of 2022.

Recreation Services presented a budget of $2,827,642 for the coming year, marking an annual increase of 0.084 per cent.

The Human Resources department proposed budget for 2023 was up 2.998 per cent annually to $1,800,184, while the administration budget was up 7.25 per cent to $1,003,833 for the coming year.

Though city council has passed motions accepting the proposed budgets, no decisions have been finalized as of time of publication.

The floor was opened to the public at the morning portion of the meeting, with Grant Cummings and Dawn Tucker taking the opportunity to provide their thoughts on the proposed budget.

Cummings expressed concern with the sewer rate and the high strength waste facility being used by Okanagan Spring Brewery, although administration informed him the work was enhancing the life of the sewer plant through the operations at the facility, and that the brewery was also paying to use the facility.

Tucker expressed concern with snow clearing on multi-use paths, but was informed that paths are treated as Priority 1 sidewalks and cleared as soon as possible.

Tucker also asked that a drainage issue at a currently closed boat launch on Okanagan Landing Road be investigated and resolved prior to having the site reopen.

Council has reconvened at city hall to further discuss the matters and vote on the proposed increases.

Should a final decision not be made on the proposed budget changes Monday, council will return to the city hall for further discussion Tuesday morning.

by Liam Verster

Vernon city council discussing 2023 budget

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