It has been a rough start to the year for the municipal budget in the town of Quispamsis.
Unaudited financial statements showed a deficit of $292,000 as of Feb. 28, up from $200,000 a month earlier.
A staff report to council said revenue was under budget by $86,000 in January and February.
“Facilities were closed for two weeks in January and under COVID restrictions for all of January and most of February,” said the report.
Building permits are $12,000 lower than budget and were partially offset by bylaw fees, which are $6,000 over budget.
Total expenses, meanwhile, are over budget by $206,000 after the first two months of the year.
“Transportation is over by $255,000 due to the higher-than-average snowfall amounts and the winter storms seen so far in 2022,” said the report.
Community Services is under budget by $23,000 as facility closures resulted in lower than budgeted electricity and cleaning costs.
“Weather has been favourable during the month of March however it appears that this deficit could be
carried on our financial statements for the rest of this year,” added the report.
Town staff also note that they are working to mitigate cost increases and supply chain issues being seen “in almost every area.”
