Three residents present ideas on 2016 budget; increase expected to be below 2%

There are still a couple of committee budgets which need to pass but, right now the overall increase to the city’s budget is below 2%.

Budget Chief Sheldon Forgette says the majority of council are prepared to pass the budget, which could happen within the first two weeks of January.

The public was invited to make presentations on the budget, and there were three residents who brought ideas forward to last night’s (Monday) committee meeting. Forgette says even though the feedback was limited, council still remains focused on bringing forward a good budget, and that includes growing revenue streams. He says one idea that came up was a $5 daily bus fare for seniors

He says throughout the year they will continue to find ways of trying to generate revenue instead of putting all that focus on the budget process.

He says part of business and managing a budget is looking at how you can grow your revenue.