Review of current and 5 year budgets

From: Doug & Lindsay Critchley
Sent: Monday, April 13, 2020 5:09 PM
To: Mayor And Council Email mayorandcouncil@viewroyal.ca
Cc: Info Address info@viewroyal.ca
Subject: Review of current and 5 year budgets

Dear Mayor and Council,

We rely upon our Public Health Officer to steer us through Covid 19 and reduce our death rate, also upon you in prescribing policies that aid social distancing I am thinking of separating walkers by one-way trail walking in Parks, one way on sidewalks facing traffic, and banning bicycles from mixing with pedestrians.

Many of us have financial difficulties which you can help by controlling the municipal budget and reducing taxes. In the absence of Casino revenue all Casino funded projects must be delayed or paid from a different source. Victoria and Colwood speak to a zero budget increase. Vancouver is concerned about insolvency. In 2018 you reduced the immediate budget increase by transferring expenditures to subsequent years. You will have to do that again. All Critical items need a second look; all Optimal items can be delayed as can all Discretionary ones. Just because an item is Required does not mean this year or even next year. There is an extensive list of Strategic items that can be pruned.

Obvious suggestions are: do not replace 1992 Fire Engine in 2021 nor the 1990 Mac Emergency Rescue vehicle deferring $1,646,000 off the top! Reduce staff by attrition and do not hire new people e.g. a G.I.S. technician. Delay phase 2 Island H’way deferring the $3,000,000 total to year 4. Delay Island H’way upgrades near 4-mile/Shoreline. Defer any additional RCMP members. Delay Pump Station upgrades. Patch pot-holes, no new repaving, delay installation of new sidewalks. Defer replacement of new vehicles and reduce operating costs in Parks. Delay Playground replacements except for safety. Delay the V.R. Park Plan. Boulevard planting with annuals can be cancelled, allowing only for watering of trees. Review proposed “Grants in aid” on hold.

In order to accomplish reductions this year you might cancel the use of some budgeted DCC expenditures and borrow from the remaining DCC funds to repay later.

These are just a few suggestions. I am sure you can vary or expand on them. Because some residents might not be able to pay taxes or penalties remind those over 55 or who otherwise qualify, that they can apply to the Provincial Tax Deferral Program even though you are not directly involved. You will at least that way receive the revenue.

Stay well, stay home, wash your hands, socially distance, be kind.

Best Regards,
Doug Critchley.
2020/04/13