Council amends 2020 financial plan

Last week, Merritt City Council approved a trio of changes to the 2020-2044 financial plan to correct the document.

“During 2020, some budget amendments were required,” said Finance Director Wayne Anderson. “There is no financial risk with these amendments, and they are required to correct the official record.”

The first item in need of correcting was the Fire Department’s new pumper-tender truck.

“During the August 27, 2019 council meeting, a report was presented recommending the approval of the contract for the purchase of the Fire Pumper Tender for $479,575 with direction to staff “to increase the 2020 capital budget for the Pumper Tender by $80,000”. The additional $80k was to come from general revenue,” said Anderson.

Also needing an amendment was support for the Fraser Basin Council, and flood hazard mapping.

“During the June 16, 2020 council meeting, council voted in 7-0 “THAT Council awards the Fraser Basin Water Council $25,000 from Gas Tax reserves to perform groundwater study proposed on May 26th, 2020”. This requires an amendment to the 2020 budget increasing funding from Gas Tax Reserve by $25,000 and increasing the Public Works Consulting Fees by $25,000,” said Anderson.

“The City was successful with a grant application for Flood Hazard Mapping funded through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF). The approved funding for this project is $150,000. The amendment to the budget is an increase in Government Grants of $150,000 offset by Protective Services Expenditures of $150,000,” added Anderson.