“As noted with the presentation of the 2021 operating budget and with the report to Council on the 2020 year-end operating results analysis, the city faces further budget challenges for 2022,” says the report.
The city will also continue transitioning fire service revenue into its capital reserves, such as the Site C agreement.
Next year’s increase does not include inflationary increases in HR costs and other expenses.
“As always, administration will look to generate additional non-tax revenue and reduce expenses wherever possible,’ says Joy in the report.
For two years in a row, the administration has focused on reducing the annual operating surpluses from 7.54 per cent to less than 1 per cent, says the report.