A minor cut in Kirkland's budget

The City of Kirkland presented a modest 2009 budget to a handful of interested residents at a public meeting Monday night, down 0.6 per cent from last year, with no significant increase in most expenses, and a 1.03 per cent hike in average home taxations.

"When the (Montreal) agglomeration budget was presented, we voted against it," said Kirkland Mayor John Meaney, explaining the reason for the minor drop in Kirkland's budget is mostly due to the fact the city was expecting a certain cut from a $25 million subsidy to Montreal by the provincial government in return for taking up new responsibilities as of January 2009.

"We have filed an appeal with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs," Meaney said.

The lack of subsidies to demerged municipalities has been a bone of contention for most West Island mayors since Montreal announced its own budget a few weeks ago. In Pointe Claire last week, council announced it would deal with the lack of expected funding with a modest increase in taxes and its water use charge.

Kirkland's solution is to cut its overall budget by 0.6 per cent, or $308, 180, bringing the total budget to $52.5 million.

On average, homeowners will pay 1.03 per cent more on their houses, with Holleuffer district being hit the hardest at 2.56 per cent and Lacey Green East at 0.15.

In terms of expenses, Kirkland's largest increases will be in administration, public security and urban planning. The first category will see an increase of 6.7 per cent for a total of $5.9 million.

According to the city's director-general Joe Sanalitro, the jump will mostly come from new hires. "The $400, 000 that you see there in increases, we're going to add additional contract personnel for our communications department," he explained during the budget meeting Monday night.

As for urban planning, it will increase by 11.2 per cent for a total of $370, 520.

In revenues, Kirkland will see a 6.7 per cent increase in revenues from its sports complex. Sanalitro explained a variety of new programs is expected to attract a larger membership this year.

Kirkland is also expecting a 92 per cent jump in interests on investment, although officials remained vague on details. "We're looking to make better use of our money," Sanalitro said.

The largest revenue expectation is in interests on arrears, which hikes up 114.3 per cent. "It's obvious the last couple of years that people aren't paying their fees on time," said Sanalitro.