As its term comes to an end, Bowen Island council is still trying to figure out ways to help manage the island's future finances.
On Monday afternoon, councillors continued their debate about how to cope with depleted reserves, higher costs and a steady demand for services.
Although they recognize that they won't be the ones passing next year's budget, they want to use what they've learned in the past three years to help guide the next council.
To do that, they are asking staff to start working on next year's budget with certain parameters in mind.
In general, they want there to be a "net positive" of spending. That is, they want the municipality to put more money into municipal coffers than it takes out. Given that there are general cost of living increases and recognition that they haven't been saving enough for future expenses, this isn't as easy as it sounds.
They passed a motion that said they want next year's budget to include a three per cent tax increase - half of the money would be put into surpluses and half the money would be put into reserves. On top of filling up the savings piggy bank, they want staff to provide a range of options for what it would take to keep further budget increases between zero and three per cent.
Councillor Doug Hooper, whose motion prompted the discussion, says what he wants is "a bare bones budget that says we're going to live within our means."
Chief financial officer Karen Blow says she believes the municipality cannot cut expenses without cutting programming - or the services funded by municipal tax dollars.If there aren't decreases in program spending, says Mayor Turner, then Bowen Island property owners will be faced with tax increases.
"The whole purpose of doing this now is to give staff the lead time to bring forward these options," he said. "It's the year to exert discipline."
Councillor David Wrinch questioned the public's willingness to accept program cuts. Given that there are external forces that will drive up the municipality's costs, and the municipality wants to put away more money, many things would have to be cut from this year's budget in order to hold the line next year. "Can we reduce services by six per cent without killing a lot of valuable social programs?"
Turner responded, "Until you put it on the table, we'll be speculating on what those cuts will be. Put it on the table and then bring it to the public. We're only going a first step by putting options on the table."
Unless cuts are made, Hooper said, "we'll be leaving the next council with an empty plate. We have to accept the fact we have brought this upon ourselves by spending more money than we were prepared to tax."
Councillor Alison Morse cautioned against trying to come up with a precise formula for righting past wrongs. Using the example of a reserve for a new pumper truck for the firehall, she said the money has been accumulating in reserves and at one point that money has to be spent. It would be difficult to have the expectation that the municipality can compensate for that spending by adding the same amount in one year. And if money has to be taken out of reserves to pay for a sewage treatment upgrade, that will only benefit those who can hook on, she doesn't think it's fair that all taxpayers be expected to cover the withdrawal from reserves.
She also said that by law, the municipality has to have a balanced budget.
Councillor Peter Frinton said that by asking staff to come up with suggestions now, and drafting the outlines of next year's budget before November's election, council is trying to "provide what little wisdom we have towards a new direction of fiscal responsibility. We need to look at the numbers and add our voice to the way we think the community should head."
