Council members have approved a wage freeze for their salaries as they begin work on the 2009 budget.
Mayor Ruth Lovell Stanners says they understand the tough economic times residents face and they didn’t want to give themselves a raise.
City Council and staff reviewed their 22 million dollar operating budget during a pre budget meeting on Friday.
Lovell Stanners says it was an opportunity for Council to learn what staff would like in the new year.
But she says Council also sent a clear message to staff to find savings anywhere in their department.
As the budget stands now — residents would face a 7.9 per cent tax increase.
But Lovell Stanners says there is no way taxes will go up by that much next year.
The City has also used 150 thousand dollars in reserve funds in the past to help pay the 430 thousand dollar a year court security bill.
But Lovell Stanners says that money has run out and they will have to pay the full cost in the 2009 budget.
There is also a recommendation that Council invest 285 thousand dollars a year in the Billy Bishop regional airport.
But Lovell Stanners says staff will instead look at whether they should lease or even sell the airport.
