A report to city council for today’s (July 13) meeting advises that the city’s operating budget is currently forecasted to end the year with an approximate $500,000 deficit.
Department deficits are likely in human resources, fire services and environmental services.
In the case of the fire department, the budget over-run is due to higher-than-budgeted wage costs, primarily driven by overtime required to maintain service levels while employees are on leave.
With environmental services, the report notes, “winter control costs are expected to exceed budget due to the severity and duration of winter weather, which resulted in increased snow clearing, ice control, and material usage. In addition, higher fuel prices are increasing the cost of contracted transit and waste collection services.”
And in human resources, the report points out that “WSIB costs are trending above historical levels. The increase is primarily attributable to a higher number of employees off work on WSIB claims, resulting in increased claim and benefit costs.”
The public portion of the meeting begins at 5 p.m. in the council chamber at city hall.
Written by Ian McCallum
