Saint John Releases Budget Simulator Results

It seems many Saint Johners would not be able to balance the city’s budget if they had to.

More than 550 people took part in the city’s budget simulator during a three-week period this spring.

People gave feedback on how the city should spend municipal tax dollars over the next 10 years. Through the simulator, they could reduce service levels, increases taxes, or do both.

Jodie Forgie, a senior financial analyst with the city, said only 35 per cent of people were able to balance their budgets.

“When you take the average of the people that left the deficit, they still left a gap of $5 million,” Forgie told the city’s finance committee last week.

Tax Increases And Cuts

Half of those who took part said they would tolerate a tax increase of between one and three cents. When it came to cuts, police and fire saw the brunt, followed by economic development and transit.

Forgie said they also received many comments from people about revenue generation.

“The most common ones that were discussed were the non-resident user fees and taxes, tolls on city roads, charges to neighbouring communities for services, and taxation of heavy industry,” she said.

Saint John is facing a projected operating deficit of $12 million by 2021. Mayor Don Darling said the simulator brought the city’s budget situation to the forefront.

“When I think we started, we wanted to engage and educate and dialogue, and I think you hit a home run,” Darling said to city staff. “I think that’s exactly what it did.”

City staff will use the feedback as they develop their 10-year long-term financial plan.