Jasper town council wants to see a reduction in the proposed 6.3 per cent operations budget increase for 2010, but are stating that existing services won’t suffer cuts accordingly.

The proposed budget started with a 5.8 per cent increase, however additional funding requests totalling about $20,000 for economic development, social norms and victims services bumped the proposed budget up.

Currently, the budget sits at $12,573, 267, which is up $350,185 from the 2009 budget. According to manager of finance Alice Lettner, salary makes up about half of the operations budget expenses.

Mayor Richard Ireland told the Fitzhugh council will weigh each request on its merit, rather than attempting to cut the budget to a specific number.

“We’ll use proper rhyme and reason to make these decisions, and make principle based decisions.”

There are things we must do, and things we should do.”

Mayor Ireland said this may not be the year to add new services, but he doesn’t anticipate cuts to existing services. The mayor notes the public appears to be satisfied with the services they receive, and would not take kindly to service cuts.

Council has received limited feedback from the public about the budget, even though the proposed increase is more than double last year’s 2.9 per cent increase. During a recent open house, council members in attendance heard displeasure about plans to add paid parking to the downtown core.

Coun. Ralph Melnyk said council needs to worry about what they can control. That includes taking a look at new positions and services. The 3.4 per cent wage increase in collective bargaining and increases to utility budgets have tied the hands of council, Coun. Melnyk said. He wants to know what percentage of the budget is going to wages.

Compared to last year’s 2.9 per cent tax increase, Coun Melynk considers a 6.3 per cent increase high, however he doesn’t want to put a number on an acceptable increase. This means there could be a reduction in new service requests or reduction in new positions asked for by administration.

In the proposed 2009 budget, administration is seeking to add three new staff positions: one in information technology, one in communications and one in GIS.

Culture and recreation and environmental services have been asked to review their utility costs, which have jumped substantially from 2009. Environmental services is expecting its utility bill to jump from $110,000 to $170,000 in 2010. Activity Centre utility costs are expected to jump from $118,810 to $142,000 in 2010. In comparison, fire services is expecting no increase in its utility budget.

The fire department is also being asked to investigate its $7,600 phone bill.

Coun. Gloria Kongsrud said she wants to be mindful of the current economic situation when considering raising taxes.

“I’m sympathetic with the public that they’ve had a tough year. We don’t want to be increasing taxes drastically during a recession,” Coun. Kongsrud said.

Coun. Mike Day says everyone wants increased services and lower taxes, and the town must prioritize where it spends its money.

“This is a budget where we’ll decide what are wants and what are needs. The wants will have to wait until next year,” Coun. Day said.

Coun. Day said council must consider what an increase will get the municipality, and what it must do to maintain current service levels.

Councillors Brian Skehill and Brenda Zinck could not be reached for comment.