Budget Consultation 2023

On February 14, 2023, Financial Planning and Procurement Manager Dave Hallinan provided an update to Committee of the Whole which included some changes to the provisional budget and an introduction of ten supplementary budget items for consideration.

Since the provisional budget was first introduced in November 2022, Administration has revisited some assumptions based on new information related to investment income and other revenues. As a result of these changes, the required level of increased taxation-based funding has decreased from the 5.60% first reported to 4.96%.

Council approved the provisional budget and is looking forward to receiving public feedback as it weighs decisions on the supplemental budget items and prepares to finalize the budget. Have your say through the survey and forums linked above. Public feedback will be collected until 11:59 PM on Thursday March 2. To read the full COTW report from February 14, click here.

Kamloops residents are encouraged to attend an information session on Wednesday, February 15, to learn about and discuss the 2023 budget and five-year financial plan. This is the first budget cycle for the newly elected Kamloops City Council and the first formal opportunity for residents to share their thoughts on big spending decisions:

2023 Budget Information Session
Wednesday, February 15
7:00–9:00 pm
Sports Centre Lounge
McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre

The 2023 provisional budget that was presented to Committee of the Whole in November 2022 and includes a property tax funding requirement increase of 5.6% (approximately $7 million). This figure represents the cost of providing the same services at the same levels as last year while considering new items already approved by Council and changes to regulations, contracts, and rates outside of the City’s control.

Today, the City published 10 business cases that have been set apart from the rest of the provisional budget because they either represent a change to the level of a service currently provided or they offer something completely new. Council members will have an opportunity to ask questions about the business cases at the Regular Council meeting on Tuesday, February 14, ahead of Wednesday night’s public information session.

Six of the supplemental budget items are requests from City departments, and the remaining four are being presented on behalf of community organizations. They cover a range of topics from staffing increases to key infrastructure improvements to investments in research to streetscape beautification. Each supplementary budget item has a forum for discussion.

There is also a survey residents can complete to help Council weigh these budget decisions. Public input on the provisional budget and supplemental items will be collected online until 11:59 pm on Thursday, March 2.

The February 15 information session will be an opportunity for residents to receive more detailed information and to chat in person with both City Administration and Council members about the provisional budget and supplementary budget items. Paper copies of the online survey will be available for completion during the session.

On Tuesday, November 22, The City's newly elected City Council met as the Committee of the Whole (COTW) to receive a detailed report on the provisional 2023 budget and five-year financial plan. It includes a property tax funding requirement increase of 5.6% (approx. $7 million). This number is calculated when forecasting the cost of providing the same services at the same levels as last year while considering:

• new items already approved by Council
• changes in negotiated contracts
• announced changes to third-party utility rates or other contracted services
• regulatory or government changes
• approved service level changes

Increased competition for skilled employees, ongoing supply chain issues, and a high level of inflation in the market are all continuing effects of the pandemic that impact this provisional budget. Further, changes in the social environment resulted in a 2022 Council decision to gradually increase funding for the local RCMP complement, which is being phased in over several years.

For the first time since the pandemic, the City has adapted this year’s financial planning process considering an expected move back to normal social interactions. As a result, City revenues are expected to return to near pre-pandemic levels in most areas, however revenue growth is somewhat offset by the depletion of pandemic relief funding provided by the Province.

The COTW directed Administration to prepare a bylaw for the 2023–2027 Five-Year Provisional Financial Plan based on the information provided. Feedback from the COTW will inform the development of the 2023–2027 Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw, which is set to be presented for approval at a Regular Council Meeting in early 2023.

Due to the timing of the 2022 election and the number of new members on Council, the budgeting process will be somewhat different this cycle. Members of the public are invited to watch the COTW meeting recording, read the report and examine the provisional budget book. Questions may be submitted under the Q&A. There will be formal means of providing feedback on the provisional budget early in 2023.