Council mulls over recommended budget cuts

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Ward 1 councillor Joe Cimino believes that more can be done to lower a potential four per cent tax increase in the 2010 municipal budget. File photo.

Ward 1 councillor Joe Cimino believes that more can be done to lower a potential four per cent tax increase in the 2010 municipal budget. File photo.

Nov 25, 2009- 9:53 AM

By: Ed Veilleux - Sudbury Northern Life Staff

Ward 1 Councillor Joe Cimino says he is looking for a bigger step towards a smaller 2010 base budget, and in turn, a smaller proposed tax increase.

City staff reported back to the Greater Sudbury city council finance committee with reductions in the proposed 2010 base budget of $826,292.

That number would be good enough for a reduction of 0.4 per cent in the proposed tax increase.

“I think this council has made it very clear to staff that they found some reductions, but (it's) nowhere near the amount that we expected,” Cimino said.

Tax reduction options totalling roughly $2 million were also presented at the Nov. 23 finance committee meeting.

Council did not vote on either the base budget reduction or the tax reduction options at the meeting, but are expected to within the next few weeks as they continue to iron out the 2010 Budget.

If council approves both options they will reduce the proposed tax increase by 1.5 per cent, from 4.5 to 3 per cent.

“With the reductions staff brought forward now, they brought (the proposed tax increase) down to three per cent. I think it's very doable to bring (the proposed increase) down to two per cent,” Cimino said.

The Ward 1 councillor warned the budget will be subject to a provincial education tax that kicks in annually and is unavoidable.

“We always have to remember that there is a 0.5 per cent provincial education tax that will be tacked on to that, which we have no power to eliminate,” Cimino said.

If council settles on the three per cent increase, city taxpayers see a 3.5 per cent tax increase due to the education tax.

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5 Comments

  • Listen up Nickel Belt 12/18/2009 10:29:58 AM - Report Abuse

    Obviously I don't know all the ins and outs of the budget and the city expenses. But here's a thought. How about not upgrading any computers for the next 12 months. Make use of what there currently is in place. What about Blackberry's? How many city employees now have them, will spend time reviewing their emails on them, and again on their desk computer? Has anyone reviewed current contracts and pricing on office supplies, courier costs? How many surplus phone lines are in play, and how many individuals have a personal fax machine that doesn't get any use, leased nevertheless and a dedicated phone line? City vehicles, is there any major purchases this year for new cars and trucks? What about all the 'city' vehicles that people take home nightly, is that part of their employment contract or is it just the status quo that nobody monitors? Catering for luncheons? Is there water bottles being delivered weekly to city offices for the water coolers - is that an expense that the tax payers should incur, or has that been addressed at some point?

    As I mentioned, I don't know if all this is relevant or not, but people would be surprised as to how fast things like this add up. The one everyone hates is the wage freeze - is that taking place. That 2 to 3 percent across the board on wages adds up. The mayor would suffer of course because his MP pension along with his mayor salary might not make ends meet.

    Things to consider. I'm sure the savings is there if things were a little more efficient and if there was a little more accountability!

  • Listen up Nickel Belt 12/18/2009 8:48:46 AM - Report Abuse

    Obviously I don't know all the ins and outs of the budget and the city expenses. But here's a thought. How about not upgrading any computers for the next 12 months. Make use of what there currently is in place. What about Blackberry's? How many city employees now have them, will spend time reviewing their emails on them, and again on their desk computer? Has anyone reviewed current contracts and pricing on office supplies, courier costs? How many surplus phone lines are in play, and how many individuals have a personal fax machine that doesn't get any use, leased nevertheless and a dedicated phone line? City vehicles, is there any major purchases this year for new cars and trucks? What about all the 'city' vehicles that people take home nightly, is that part of their employment contract or is it just the status quo that nobody monitors? Catering for luncheons? Is there water bottles being delivered weekly to city offices for the water coolers - is that an expense that the tax payers should incur, or has that been addressed at some point?

    As I mentioned, I don't know if all this is relevant or not, but people would be surprised as to how fast things like this add up. The one everyone hates is the wage freeze - is that taking place. That 2 to 3 percent across the board on wages adds up. The mayor would suffer of course because his MP pension along with his mayor salary might not make ends meet.

    Things to consider. I'm sure the savings is there if things were a little more efficient and if there was a little more accountability!

  • Maggie_1 11/27/2009 12:16:52 AM - Report Abuse

    Yes, definitely cut in-house and clear out all the dead weight. If you go to customer service where you pay for city parking there are four people working behind the counter....why four people??? There are three salaries there which could be useful somewhere else. Also, around the corner where management is regarding parking.....one receptionist and one manager....why is that??? Not required when managers at Sudbury Transit are responsible for issing parking tickets.....or am I wrong!!!

  • tapped out in the Nickel 11/26/2009 5:59:29 PM - Report Abuse

    Don't worry,they'll still be over budget for snow removal by the end of winter.Look harder inhouse for savings.I'm sure there is plenty of fat to trim there.

  • Grumpy Ole Man_75 11/26/2009 12:45:06 PM - Report Abuse

    Put the laundry list of projects and expenditure out for the "paying" taxpayers to decide what sinks or swims. Not hard to implement. On-line, sign in with your property specific roll call, password - then vote.
    Looks like a surplus month on the ole snow removal in Nov.
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