Small turnout for public meeting on city budget

A handful of residents told Brandon City Council on Monday what they envision for this year’s budget, with advice ranging from spending more to being careful about how much taxes go up.

Emelio Brown, vice-president of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, said council members should be “mindful” of the financial burden people are currently facing.

“Businesses and residents are currently navigating multiple cost increases beyond municipal taxation. That includes Manitoba Hydro rate adjustments, water increases and other rising operational costs,” said Brown, who was one of about a dozen members of the public at Monday’s meeting.

“These cumulative impacts are significant.”

The chamber, he said, supports “well-reasoned tax increases,” but wants council to look for “operational efficiencies” like artificial intelligence, and to tap other forms of funding, which includes other levels of government.

“This is a time to make difficult, but necessary decisions that clearly distinguish between immediate needs and long-term wants as well,” said Brown.

Chamber members are consistently looking for predictability, he added.

He said chamber members are hoping to see a multi-year plan that outlines “reasonable and defensible” tax increases, so residents and businesses can “plan ahead with confidence.”

Monday’s meeting started with residents being invited to speak with council and heads of major departments over a cup of coffee and cookies. Only about six residents were at that portion of the meeting, with about five times more city staff present.

Residents then were allowed to speak during a formal portion of the meeting, although only four did so.

Betty Braaksma advocated for better dog parks in the city.

Braaksma said the city should improve amenities for people and dogs, like water fountains for pets and better cleared pathways.

“Dog parks function as informal gathering places encouraging regular, low-pressure social interaction,” Braaksma said.

She said that as a senior, she knows the importance of having a network and social connection to maintain people’s “sense of purpose in the community, as well as in their private lives.”

She said dog parks are among the cheapest recreational facilities for a city to maintain.

Braaksma also asked the city to create a better schedule for its dog parks.

“I think small things like that can show a lot of good will from the city,” Braaksma said.

On another topic, the chair of the police board said a seven per cent increase for the police budget is “bare bones.”

Deb Arpin asked that council allocate a surplus from last year toward Brandon Police Service’s reserves.

City administration initially proposed an 11.3 per cent budget increase at the start of the month.

The city has since learned of a $1.5-million surplus and has received $1,035,000 from the provincial government.

Of the surplus, $1.1 million was recommended to be used to lower taxes and $400,000 for one-time council priorities. That recommendation came before the provincial announcement to fund three projects that the city was planning to pay for this year.

The surplus and provincial funding could each lower the property tax increase by about two per cent.

Budget deliberations are set for Friday and Saturday.

» alambert@brandonsun.com