More Budget Talk

Yet another special committee meeting. It started out interesting.

We had an audience. Library board and fire department budgets were being presented

Historical Society and Chamber of Commerce were there to support requests for grants.

Culture Centre representatives came to give a glowing account of their program.

A few residents were in the audience.

The Mayor opened the meeting with a statement about the tax increase. Regional staff had been able to reduce the increase and he cited a new combined figure for Aurora .

There was nothing in writing. I hesitate to name a number. It might not be accurate.

Later, I asked the Mayor to explain his statement. He said he would.  But not then.

The evening was like that.

When culture's presentation was complete, the Mayor invited comments or questions.

I had only one. I asked why is there no museum at the Church Street School?

Lickety-split the Mayor intervened and stated he would not allow the question.

He didn't say why. Simply repeated his refusal to allow the question.

Sometimes, nothing more needs to be said.

Councillor Pirrie stated he was not prepared to support the budget without further detail than had been presented.

The Mayor said  the budget  was philosophical.

Other Councillors had similar concerns to Councillor Pirrie.

Councillor Ballard did too but he didn't want to start the budget process over again.He suggested we  discuss  process in time for the next budget.

I said there was nothing philosophical about a budget. It's about hard facts and figures, the burden on the shoulders of the taxpayers and how is it justified.

Finally,a resolution passed to direct staff to provide more details.

The Mayor noted it meant the budget would not be approved before Christmas. Like it was a present or  timing was more critical than doing it right.

About then I asked the Mayor to explain his statement at the beginning of the meeting about the combined tax increase.

He said he would. "but not now

At ten minutes past ten, the water and wastewater budget was presented by a tag team of Treasurer and Public Works Director.

Pages of figures and graphs were raced through to be completed by ten-thirty. the hour of adjournment.

Documentation was provided at the table.

This budget is complicated. A shift from water rates to tax rates is recommended.

The documentation should have been in hand beforehand to prepare for discussion.

Instead,. at ten thirty the Mayor called for extension of the hour of adjournment.

Since seven o'clock, we had been absorbing business plans and figures.

All of it together did not equal the significance of the water-waste-water budget.

Nothing has captured public attention as much as the question of water rates and method of  their calculation.

A budget of several million dollars with so many twists and turns. deserves serious attention.

I packed my gear and left. There is only so much a body can absorb.

At ten-fifty-two p.m. a vote to approve the water-waste-water budget as presented was cast.