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Weekend, May 13-15, 2011 www.metronews.ca
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After all that snow, city may need slush fund
METRO FILE
City facing projected deficit based on first-quarter financial results ‘More than expected snowfall’ main reason for deficit: Report METRO FILE
As the snow piled up, so did the money the city spent to remove it. In fact, the city now needs to find a way to make up a projected 2011 deficit of more than $30 million. “The snow budget is one of the things that caused a problem, so it’s good that we’re having a look at how we plow snow in the city,” said Coun. Kerry Diotte. “We need to do it better, more efficiently.” The city spent $30 million more on snow removal than it expected to between January and March. Other contributing factors to the red ink include $3 million in lost revenue after the speed-ongreen program ended, and a $2.5million increase in transit maintenance and fuel costs. Additional impacts could come from road maintenance, a delayed restart of the speed-on-green program, and a projected $6-million increase in fuel costs. According to a report, “the financial stabilization reserve may be required to manage the year-end position.” Coun. Amarjeet Sohi said that with last year’s surplus of $42 million, that reserve is at about
Coun. Kerry Diotte
“It’s definitely a concern to me, and I think it is to all taxpayers.” COUN. KERRY DIOTTE
$125 million. City council will discuss the numbers next Wednesday. “This past winter was exceptional, but it really tells us how much the weather has an impact on the city budget,” said Sohi. HEATHER MCINTYRE
Don’t worry — it didn’t snow in Edmonton overnight. But the record snow we did get this winter put the city in a big hole.