THUNDER BAY -- At the halfway mark, the city thinks it'll be $1 million over its budget by the end of the year.
That's up from the roughly $832,000 projected at the beginning of the year when winter control, police and early leave benefits were already having an impact. Now insurance has been added as the city looks to the end of the year.
"We're still, believe it or not, dealing with flood related claims (from 2012) and covering off the deductible," city manager Tim Commisso said.
Commisso said the projection is conservative and he's hoping new tax revenue, from the new courthouse hopefully being added to the city's tax roll, will help the city get out of the red. It will also be looking at discretionary spending and only hiring for what the city sees as essential jobs.
"One of the things we'll obviously do is work to mitigate that," Commisso said.
While the city has nearly $1 million extra in capital funding now that it delayed work to Cumberland Street, Commisso said he wouldn't recommend using it.
"It's not the best financial strategy because it's one time money," Commisso said.
Administration would rather see the money held until next year when the project begins. Council has asked to see a list of projects that could use the money this year.
