Banff politicians have begun grappling with services and associated budgets for 2015 – with a 2.16 per cent tax increase needed to pay for existing service levels offered to residents, including inflation.
But council is being asked to consider 27 new initiatives worth $1.1 million for 2015, including 10.4 new full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, expected to cost $631,380 in wages and benefits.
Officials say some of the proposed new positions come with offsetting revenue estimates. They noted every additional $213,000 spent is equal to a one per cent overall tax increase on the $32.8 million base operating budget.
“None of this is final until budget time,” said Banff Mayor Karen Sorensen at a service level review meeting on Monday (Nov. 17). “If something gets approved, or not approved, it may change. Everything is moveable up until the final budget decision.”
Next year is the start of a five-year phase out of an annual requirement of administration to save $130,000 in wages and benefits, and $20,000 in training, meals and travel savings. This year’s wage savings target is $104,000 and target for travel and training is $16,000.
A two-year term economic prosperity position got a nod of approval from council Monday, which was sitting as the finance committee, and was recommended for inclusion in the operating budget for final consideration by council.
Startup costs for the new position would be $10,500 with another $74,500 in operating costs, including $67,000 in wages and benefits, Only $44,700 in wages in benefits is called for in the first year.
The scope of work would include establishing and providing support to an economic prosperity advisory board, research into a retail strategy, developing a survey of residents and businesses for the Indexperience survey, and coordinating Banff’s role in an economic impact study.
Sorensen said she believes the position is crucial to move forward with work and tactics that came out of the economic prosperity strategy.
Other positions under consideration include a housing coordinator, an IT support analyst position, and restructuring the bylaw department to take a seasonal position to a full-year contract to help with increased enforcement.
The Fleets department is asking for two additional certified FTEs to allow for seven day a week service, rather five days. The Grounds department is seeking funding for additional hours for seasonal staff as well as turning the current seasonal rink labourer into a full-time position with benefits.
Planning and development would like to see a summer student added for next year, whose primary role would be to help out with research and develop regulatory and legislative mechanisms to implement recommendations in community housing strategy.
There is also a request for a marketing and sales coordinator to market the Fenlands rec centre and other recreation facilities and programs in town.
Council also tentatively approved the following items during Monday’s meeting;
• $50,000 for a feel-good community campaign, including hiring an outside agency to help develop the strategy, to encourage community pride and community values;
• $7,300 for children’s inflatable obstacle courses for special events;
• $10,200 for a 0.6 FTE housing sustainability coordinator;
• $30,000 for consultant services for a records and information management strategy;
Meanwhile, Approximately $9.7 million is budgeted to be transferred to capital reserves in 2015.
