Morinville councillors moved closer to approving the town's 2011 budget, but some serious strings remain attached to next year's plan.
Council gave first and second reading to the 2011 budget on Dec. 14, but with the caveat that several proposed staffing positions not be filled until more information comes forward.
The proposed budget calls for a 3.5 per cent increase to municipal property taxes and would add several new staffing positions.
Those positions, combined with debt repayments for the community cultural centre and possible additional borrowing for renovation work to the civic plaza, have created some concern among councillors about what the budget will do to town finances over the long-term.
For the second time, councillors initially rejected first reading of the budget before finding their way to an amended motion that could receive majority support. The move comes after council voted down the budget once before on Dec. 7.
Councillors David Pattision and Paul Krauskopf supported the budget, along with Mayor Lloyd Bertschi, but they were outvoted by Lisa Holmes, Nicole Boutestein, Ben Van De Walle and Gordon Boddez.
Holmes then put forward a second attempt to approve the first reading, but with a requirement that administration hold off on any new hires until council receives more information about the staffing positions.
That information, along with the proposed third reading of the budget was set to come back to council last night, after the Gazette went to press.
New positions
Homes initially wanted an exception that would allow administration to hire two clerks, one in planning and development and the other in the utility department. However, Krauskopf successfully amended the motion, adding the five staff required to operate the new community cultural centre. Council gave second reading to that motion in another split vote.
The other staffing positions include an assistant chief administrative officer, a communications and marketing co-ordinator and an economic development officer.
Holmes said she suggested the revised budget motion because she is worried about what an expanded group of staff will mean for the long-term viability of the town.
"When you are dealing with staffing needs it is not a one time cost, you are adding in something that is going to be there for years and years."
Pattison argued administration had provided more than enough information to simply pass the budget as is and he did not want to see the motion delayed.
"There is enough information about what is in 2011 and 2012 on the capital and operating sides."
No interim budget
Councillors also briefly considered proceeding with an interim budget, which would give administration a spending template based on last year's budget until a complete version could be finalized in the spring.
Administration cautioned against that approach noting that without a firm commitment on budget requests like staffing the town would not be able to take on all projects they'd planned.
Director of public works Claude Valcourt said administration needed the staff to complete the other projects they had planned.
"We can't do all of these projects without the staff to go with it," he said.
He also cautioned that an interim budget would prevent the town from seeking bids on some of the proposed capital projects, a delay that could prove costly.
"We have proven in the past, certainly in the roads projects for example, that the sooner you go out and tender these positions the more you save."
The town also has a number of planning documents set to begin next year, including a business plan and economic development strategy. A municipal sustainability plan could also be in the works.
Even though consultants are involved in some of that work, administration is still required to be involved and, without extra staff, those projects also could not proceed, council was advised.
If the budget is approved with the 3.5 per cent increase, it would add about $80 a year to the municipal portion of a property tax bill based on a typical home valued at $300,000.
