City budget deliberations continue; council aims to hold line on tax rate in light of property assessment increase

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BY NICK MOORE
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF

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Dieppe city councillors were looking to trim any fat they could find from what will make up the city's $32.8 million operating budget next year, the largest ever in Dieppe's history.

All departments under city control presented their prospective 2009 budgets last night as part of public budget meetings at City Hall. External agencies, which require or rely on funding from the municipality, presented their budgets on Monday night.

A few of the budgets proposed stayed consistent with 2008 numbers, but most departments and agencies have asked for an increase in the amount of money they'll get next year.

The city's Leisure and Recreation Facilities Department asked for an increase of 10.35 per cent, increasing their budget to $5 million from $4.5 million, and making up 15.7 per cent of the city's total 2009 budget. The extra money would supplement costs of operating and managing the city's aquatic centre and sports complex, due to open next year.

The Department of Public Works asked for a six per cent increase in their funding, to $4.1 million from $3.9 million, making up 12.8 per cent of the city budget. The municipal fire service in Dieppe asked for a 7.8 per cent increase in funding next year (to $3.5 million from $3.2 million, for 10.9 per cent of the city's total budget), to pay for the purchase of new emergency vehicles.

Mayor Jean LeBlanc said council would be diligent in looking at all of the proposed budgets and that none would automatically receive a stamp of approval without being scrutinized.

"I think it's the process all organizations go through to allocate money to the proper place," he said. "Resources, especially money, are finite in any organization and municipalities aren't any different. The important thing is that we get the information and make the right decisions."

The phrase 'tough times' has been a common term used at the budget meetings thus far, referencing a worldwide economy on its knees. LeBlanc said the current global money market situation isn't something the city will ignore.

"We seem to doing fine at the moment," he said. "But I think it proves to be prudent in our budgeting since there is some uncertainty so we can make sure we're prepared for any eventualities."

While no guarantees are in place right now, the city is working under the idea of keeping next year's tax rate steady at $1.5645 per assessed value, while seeing a perceived nine per cent increase in property values -- which still needs to be confirmed by the provincial government.

"The goal here is to make sure there isn't any effect on the tax rate and making sure the services required are there for residents," said LeBlanc. "That is the key, that we only cut things that won't affect people directly and make sure we keep the money where the services are required by the residents of Dieppe."

While the supposed property value rate is received from estimations based on the past (and determines the city's 2009 operating budget as well), a parallel tax rate from 2008 to 2009 would still likely see residents pay an increase in taxes because of the property value increase.

Dieppe Council will continue their public budget meetings tonight (5:30 p.m. inside City Hall, 333 Acadie Avenue).