All quiet on the budget front

City council is taking a small break from budget meetings.

Due to the Remembrance Day holiday, the next budget meeting takes place this Thursday, Nov. 13.

Thursday's line up should be interesting as it includes several noteworthy presentations, including one for Servus Credit Union Place. It will be Servus Place's first budget since the 2007 and 2008 deficit and subsequent citizens' task force report.

Administration forecasts a $1.67 million deficit next year, according to the 2009 operating budget. The city predicts a 77 per cent cost recovery rate, similar to this year.

While council won't be approving spending beyond next year, it's worth noting the Servus Place deficit is projected to increase the following two years. That means budgeted losses of $1.83 million in 2010 and $1.85 million in 2011.

Council has not shied away from raising tough questions during their monthly Servus Place fiscal updates. Expect a similar performance on Thursday.

Also on the Nov. 13 budget schedule is the planning and engineering divisional overview, plus presentations from the engineering department, office of the environment and public transit.

The office of environment presentation could prove interesting if it focuses on landfill remediation in Riel Park.

There are several public transit items in the budget, including a park 'n' ride station south of the Superstore. 

With parking at the current Village Landing station a tight squeeze (to put it mildly), it will be interesting to see how council greets such initiatives.

The meeting starts at 4 p.m. in council chambers. It will not be televised.