As the city digs through this year’s budget to try and be as proactive as possible in dealing with the impacts of COVID-19, the Mayor of Kamloops says it is going to look at a whole host of options.

The city’s finance director says the budget could be anywhere from three to six million dollars short and Ken Christian says it has to examine everything. “Everything from looking at our contracts, looking at our capital budget, looking at our reserves, looking at property tax deferral and property tax early payment incentives. Allowing people to apply for utility deferral, but allowing those that are able some incentive to pay on time.”

While speaking on The Jeff Andreas Show, Christian says it is interesting in how just a few weeks ago we were talking about all the supplemental items like the urban tree canopy and expansions to pickle ball courts in the city. “When we had a great discussion about buying mats for accessibility for handicapped individuals into our parks and beaches. All of those are very critical items, but in the context of what we’re facing now I think we have to realize that this is not a time for supplemental items.”

Christian says this is a time where we need to look at the core business that the city provides and make sure it is continuing with that work.

“Six weeks ago we were arguing about, say you have a house and you’re paying $4,000 in taxes per year and we were arguing whether it was going to be $4,037 or $4,064 and we were arguing about that difference. Right now, people can’t afford the $4,000, so that really is a fundamental change.”

Christian says council will be meeting again in the 21st to talk more about the city’s financial situation.

https://soundcloud.com/user-965676831/jeff-andreas-show-ken-christian-apr-8