City staff are recommending that council move forward with the final two readings of the bylaws governing the proposed $81-million operating budget for 2019.

The budget includes tax and fee increases. Among them are:

• a proposed 2.3 per cent property tax hike;

• a 2.76 per cent increase to water and sewer services; and

• a 12.8 per cent hike in waste collection fees for those who are on the city’s system.

Brittany Dixon is the city’s manager of financial services. She proposed that council move forward with the final two readings of the bylaw as part of a public input report.

The report outlined concerns and suggestions that came in during a public input period on the spending plan.

While no one showed up to address council in person, Dixon noted, three written submissions came in.

While two from local residents brought up a number of concerns, the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce expressed support for the budget.

In letters from residents, the city was called on to:

• expand opportunities for reusing items at the landfill;

• abandon the review of the Official Community Plan (OCP);

• increase trail and bylaw enforcement in Wolf Creek; and

• increase snow and ice removal on paved trails to improve accessibility through the winter.

The suggestion to expand reuse opportunities at the landfill prompted Coun. Laura Cabott to raise the question of efforts underway to promote reuse.

She said she understands that the city can no longer operate a free store at the landfill due to liability and other issues.

However, Cabott noted, the Fourth Avenue thrift store that opened in late 2018 is limited in its business hours and space. She wondered about the latest work to explore reuse options.

Peter O’Blenes is the city’s director of infrastructure and operations. He confirmed that the city is working with a number of community groups on the matter.

It’s hoped the thrift store will expand its store hours and the like, he added, while other options are explored as well.

As for the OCP, Dixon noted that the current plan adopted in 2010 is “proving to be increasingly out of date and needs to be updated to reflect new growth projections, trends, best practices and community priorities.

“The new OCP is an important priority, as it provides overall direction for other city policies, plans and regulations,” she pointed out.

As for trails, Dixon noted funding is allocated for a trail enforcement position in bylaw, though the department operates on a complaint-driven basis.

She did note the concerns specific to Wolf Creek have been forwarded to the bylaw department to look at in any future plans.

Dixon went on to highlight that some winter snow clearing is down on paved trails such as the Millennium and waterfront trails, and sections of others.

The city’s snow and ice control policy will come forward to council later this year as it does annually, Dixon added. That’s when council can review the service levels for snow and ice clearing.

Coun. Steve Roddick highlighted his concerns over city regulations around clearing snow in front of properties. He believes they leave gaps and create concerns for the city’s elderly population.

Roddick questioned whether the city’s maintenance bylaw would come up as part of the discussion around snow and ice control.

City manager Linda Rapp confirmed that it’s not set to come forward awith the snow and ice policy. But if there was an issue concerning it that was brought up during discussion, she said, it could be brought forward.

The snow and ice control policy is expected to come forward in the late summer or early fall.

Along with outlining the concerns that were brought up as part of the public input into the budget, Dixon noted: “Support was also received from the two submissions for continuing the existing levels of service for winter road maintenance and Canada Games Centre programming as well as from the (Whitehorse) Chamber of Commerce, who commended council for minimizing increases to taxes and fees in the proposed 2019 operating budget while maintaining the service standards our community expects.”

Mayor Dan Curtis was quick to point to the comments from the chamber, noting that each year, the organization goes through the budget very closely.

Meanwhile, Roddick questioned whether there are more ways for the city to get out word about the budget.

With only three submissions, he said, it seems “we have more work to do” in communicating with the public.

The budget documents are available on the city’s website. As well, the city advertises the release of the budget and any public input opportunities every year.

Valerie Braga, the city’s director of corporate services, said work is ongoing, and each year, city staff come up with a communications plan for the document.

“It is a work in progress definitely, and we will continue to expand,” Braga said.

While many residents are aware of the budget, she said, they may also choose not to provide feedback.