By Chad Klassen

Residents ask tough questions at city public budget meeting

Mar 1, 2017 | 8:35 AM

KAMLOOPS — Tuesday night marked the last chance for residents to ask questions about the city’s 2017 budget, and around 25 residents showed uo to inquire about what the city has planned for this year.

In an impromptu format, Mayor Peter Milobar sat on the hot seat and took questions from the audience at the Parkside Lounge. He fielded questions about the Kinder Morgan expansion and the benefits the city’s expected to receive, water meters, and the recent 2.7 per cent tax increase.

“If you look at the 2.7 per cent increase, it’s really around operational contracts with things like police, fire service, CUPE contracts,” said Milobar. “In terms of our core operating budget, we’re actually below last year’s levels. But it’s those cost pressures within contractual obligations that we’re finding the pressure.”

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Milobar says while some in attendance wondered aloud why the city can’t avoid tax increase, it’s necessary to keep essential services.

“It’s easy to say ‘just cut it all,’ but the reality is, we spend almost the same amount of money on things likes social grants and arts and culture, so to get to a zero, you’d be looking at devastating a lot of fabric of our community,” he said.

by Chad Klassen

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Residents ask tough questions at city public budget meeting

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