EDMONTON – The City of Edmonton is anticipating a surplus, despite earlier concerns that the snow removal budget would eat up any savings this year.
By the end of last year, there were concerns the surplus would be eliminated because the budget for snow removal went over what it was expected to.
READ MORE: Edmonton surplus likely eaten up by snow
However, cost savings by not filling vacant job positions, and increased revenue in other areas has led to a $9.2 million surplus.
“That was offset by a lot of other savings and belt tightening in other areas of the corporation,” said Mayor Don Iveson.
“So, good news today that we got a small surplus – could have been the other way.”
“We’ve got 12,000 employees,” said Councillor Michael Oshry, “and there’s always some efficiencies. I think the city does a pretty good job with managing people and managing things, but there’s always room for improvement.”
Photo radar enforcement contributed millions to the surplus. That money will go back into funding traffic safety programs.
“I think it’s important for Edmontonians to know that the photo radar revenue that the city brings in gets reinvested in traffic safety programming,” said Iveson. “And in the future, we’re looking at being able to actually take the proceeds of that and invest it in safety modifications to neighbourhoods.”
- RateMDs faces certified class-action lawsuit over alleged breach of privacy
- Power adapters sold on Amazon may cause electric shock, Health Canada warns
- More than half of working moms worry about losing job flexibility. Why?
- Vape liquids may release hundreds of toxic chemicals when inhaled, study finds
READ MORE: City of Edmonton could remove snow faster but are you willing to pay the extra cost?
So, should citizens be expecting to get the surplus back?
Since the surplus is considered a one-time scenario, there are no plans to apply the extra dollars to offset property tax increases.
“The tax levy is there to fund programs every year, on an ongoing basis,” said Iveson. “You don’t remove snow one winter, you remove snow every winter. So, giving it back one time, you just have to take it back the next year in order to fund those ongoing services.”
As the surplus was announced, updated debt numbers were also provided. Debt stands at $2.4 billion and will be rising over the next few years, but the mayor argues the city uses debt very responsibly.
Comments