City's budget process underway

The municipal budget process is underway in North Bay.

Budget Chief Sheldon Forgette says a couple of the big ticket items could be Cassellholme redevelopment and the West Ferris Arena issue.

“You’re going to see those take a toll on the budget if council chooses to do those projects. We’re going to have to decide how we’re going to fund those projects. It’s going to be an interesting year. Council’s going to have some decisions to make this year,” he says.

Forgette says they’re starting the process with a 1.77 % increase in the tax rate and work on that figure.

The hope is to complete the budget process by Christmas.

With a municipal election next year, Forgette says regardless they have to put together a budget that works for the city.

“We have to make a budget that will work for 2018 and that way we can serve our citizens in 2018. We have to try and keep the politics aside, but it’s going to be difficult of course for some people,” he says.