Community groups fear impact from budget cuts
Wed, November 9, 2005
By JOE BELANGER, Free Press City Hall Reporter


London community groups have been "cut to the bone" and can't keep taking budget cuts, says a leading social advocate and city councillor.

That's the message several groups are expected to take to board of control today in the first of several meetings seeking public input on the 2006 budget.

"Because of the budget cutbacks the last few years, some of these groups are really feeling the pinch," said Coun. Susan Eagle. "They're trying to do more with less and they're down to the bone now, so you're really looking at reduced services to the public."

The public gets its first chance today to comment on the city's draft 2006 budget, which proposes a five-per-cent property tax increase.

The $858.2-million budget includes $611.3 million in operating costs (an increase of about 9.2 per cent, or $52 million over last year), a $47.9-million water budget, a $52-million sewer budget and $147 million in capital projects.

The increases would add $104 to the tax bill of an average home assessed at $152,000, bringing the total to $2,173.

As well, a proposed sewer rate increase of 9.5 per cent would cost $34 and a five-per-cent jump in water another $16, bringing those annual bills to $395 and $330.

The board will hear from 15 individuals and groups in two sessions (2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.) asking for operating and capital funding.

Public sessions also are planned tomorrow at four city malls and Saturday at the London Convention Centre.

One concern, said Eagle, are proposed cuts to groups such as neighbourhood resource centres.

Cutting services to people in need often costs more in the long run, either through welfare, shelters or the criminal justice system, Eagle said.

The same agencies, Eagle said, also are coping with federal and provincial cuts.

The resource centres' budgets have been frozen at 2003 levels and the city budget proposes a seven-per-cent cut, a total of $10,621 they say will mean service cuts.

The centres argue every dollar spent in prevention saves $8 "in treatment, remediation and rehabilitation."

"(Losing that funding) will eliminate . . . direct program services to vulnerable youth and adults affecting hundreds," they say in a joint letter.

Though the city is awash in new federal and provincial money, through fuel taxes and new grants, most of it was offset by skyrocketing budgets for emergency services and contract increases.

Budget chief Tom Gosnell, deputy mayor, said the public often sends "mixed messages" at budget time, "so everything is on the table," but the goal remains to keep any tax hike to the inflation rate or less.

BUDGET MEETINGS

- Today: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with board of control, for pre-registered presenters. Council chambers.

- Tomorrow: Council members and administration will answer questions or concerns at four malls: Masonville, Argyle, Westmount and White Oaks, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

- Saturday: Council and administration on hand at an open house at the London Convention Centre, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

- Monday: A public meeting on proposed changes to fees and other charges will be held at city hall 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. To register as a delegation, call the city clerk's office.

Budget info: www.london.ca