Mayor's Budget Task Force

Summary

• Approved Mayor Ken Sim's creation of a Mayor's Budget Task Force (Type D advisory body) to review the city's budget line by line and report findings ahead of the 2024 budget process.
• Context: 2023 saw a 10.7% property tax increase, driven by infrastructure renewal, reserve replenishment, a 3% increase for VPD, and broader city service costs; Council characterized this as unsustainable.
• Task force to identify opportunities to improve service levels, processes, and transparency, and flag concerns around deferred maintenance, unfunded liabilities, capital expenditures, pensions, and equipment replacement.
• Final motion includes a request for the Mayor to invite the Park Board to participate.
• Councillors Carr and Fry abstained; all others in favour.

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