You can call it the calm before the storm for Dryden City Managers.
Dryden Council is indicating it will free up only $1-million for capital work in 2018 and now the Finance Committee is sitting down to see how they will get there.
Options to cover the target include increasing taxes or revenue, reducing expenses or service level reductions are dipping into a projected reserve pool of $3.5-million.
Last year, staff had $1.5-million to work with for needed upgrades.
Finance Committee Chair Norm Bush says they will leave no stone unturned and stresses it’s far too early to speculate on any tax rate.
Bush says capital projects that focus on health, safety and environment will receive the first priority, followed by needed improvements to keep the City running efficiently.
Bush adds they would love to spend more, but stresses now isn’t the time.
2018 will be the highest debt level year with a $3.8-million payment due.
The City is facing a $13.5-million infrastructure deficit.
Treasurer Steven Lansdell-Roll has warned there may be only $500,000 available for capital work by the end of this year, forcing staff and council to look at options to cover the shortfall.
One department says it has been prepared for belt tightening.
The Dryden Police Service says it anticipated the fiscal decision and notes they have no capital projects planned for 2018.
