City on hook for extra costs, variance reports show

The city learned about a few added costs it may have to deal with in a report Monday.

The transportation and works department is projecting an $868,000 unfavourable variance to the city’s $200,992,300 budget for winter control. Because weather conditions are somewhat unpredictable, administration says that estimate is highly variable and that any actual unfavourable variance will come out of the city’s $2 million winter control reserve fund.

Golf is projecting a $150,000 unfavourable variance due to poor weather at the start of the golf season.

But community services manager Greg Alexander said there will be more money needed since vandalism at Stratchcona occurred after the report, which ended June 30.

Community services also reported an extra $100,000 for additional security during waterfront construction.

As fuel costs continue to rise, the city’s facilities and fleet department are projecting a $463,000 variance. Council heard that the department is educating its staff on anti-idling and unnecessary trips to cut costs.

Superior North EMS is projecting an unfavourable $383,000 mainly due to increased overtime from staffing shortages.