The City of Moose Jaw appears to be in good shape financially, according to a third-quarter financial report, with certain revenues and expenses up because of the pandemic.
Brian Acker, director of finance, presented the report during the recent regular city council meeting.
Revenues
Municipal taxation is $608,781 above budget, although this could change depending upon the outcome of property assessment appeals, he said. Many appeals sent to the Saskatchewan Municipal Board are coming back in favour of the municipality and providing extra revenue.
Other levies are $167,821 above budget, mainly due to increased rural fire call revenues and increased fire insurance proceeds.
Revenues in licences and permits are up about $730,000 compared to 2020 due to increases in building permit revenue and increased parking meter receipts, Acker continued. Previously, the city did not collect money for meters or issue penalties last year because of the pandemic.
Rents and concessions revenue is $123,208 below budget, while law enforcement revenue is $304,224 below budget.
The municipality has received an additional $336,970 in fines and penalties, mainly due to more automated speed enforcement revenue and parking meter penalties.
“This is a positive for our overall financial situation,” Acker said.
Tax penalty revenue is up $190,000 compared to 2020, mostly because the city did not enforce tax penalties last year due to the pandemic.
Service charges are up by $65,424 due to increased tax enforcement charges and planning and zoning fees.
Revenues in recreation services are up “modestly from 2020” by $125,000 said Acker, but city hall continues to struggle in this area due to the pandemic and decreased use of recreation venues.
Moose Jaw received $2.2 million in federal funding this year for one-time COVID-19 restart funding. The municipality did not receive any such funding in 2020.
As of Sept. 30, Moose Jaw had reported over $51.4 million in revenue or about 98 per cent of expected budgeted revenues, Acker added. This is ahead of the 2020 figures.
Expenses
Expenses in general government are up about $840,000 over 2020, but these increases relate to reduced expenses last year due to the pandemic and some budgetary increases this year.
“Overall, this area is looking to come in on budget,” said Acker.
Protective services expenses are higher than last year by $1,247,308, mainly due to the Moose Jaw Police Service. Acker noted that this area is the responsibility of the Board of Police Commissioners, so it would have to explain the increased spending if council asked.
Expenses are up in public works by roughly $900,000 over 2020, mainly due to streets and roads — including snow removal — and delivering programs this year that were affected last year.
Recreation and community services expenses are up by $2,226,000 over last year, mainly due to supporting Mosaic Place ($865,000) and with costs associated with restarting recreational venues, said Acker.
As of Sept. 30, Moose Jaw had reported over $41.5 million in expenses or about 79 per cent of budget, he added. This is in line with 2019 year-to-date.
Transit
Regular bus transit is seeing an increased subsidy of $1,147,659 over 2020, which is 104-per-cent of the budgeted subsidy this year, the finance director stated. This is because of lower revenues and higher expenses in vehicle maintenance, transportation and administration.
“The good news is paratransit is fairing better,” he said, adding while revenues are less than budgeted, expenses are also less than expected, leaving paratransit in a favourable financial position.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Dec. 6.
