The City of Kenora has passed it’s 2024 municipal budget.

In the end, it came in at a 3.17 percent increase over last year.

Director of Finance Ryan Marsh says it was a challenge drafting a budget that was lower than inflation.

“A great effort in terms of the economic times we’re seeing in Canada right now,” Marsh told council in a special meeting Monday night to pass the budget.

“The inflation rate remained at 3.4 percent for December and it was at a high of 5.9 percent in January of 2023.  So in the course of our budget bill we’re seeing large increases in inflationary pressures.”

Marsh points out they managed reduce the budget increase without effecting services.

“With all those adjustments and changes the net tax levy support required for 2024 is $953,000, which is a 3.17 percent increase from the 2023 budgeted tax levy.”

Councillor Barb Manson says she’s pleased the budget came in close to her 3 percent target.

“A big, big thank-you to staff and council for seeing the necessity of holding the line for this year’s budget.  I’m ecstatic.”

The budget vote was not unanimous and councillor Lisa Moncrief voted against it saying she still has a number of unanswered questions about the city’s finances.

“My questions have never been answered to my satisfaction.   I’ve sought advice from accountants, controllers, other mayors, CAO’s and senior leaders of pubic, private and non-profit organizations on budgets.  They were not satisfied with the level of information that’s provided.”

Councillor Bob Bernie did support the budget and said council agreed that the level of information they received was adequate.