Local residents will have a chance on Nov. 24 to let council know exactly what they think of the city’s 2015 capital spending plan.

On that date, council will host a public input session on the $30-million budget tabled Monday evening.

While the capital budget passed first reading, it will be Dec. 8 before second and third readings come forward for adoption after the input session on Nov. 24 and a report on the input coming to council on Dec. 1.

The bulk of the capital budget will go toward the building consolidation project, as reported in Monday’s Star.

It will move all city services into two structures – a larger building off Range Road and Two Mile Hill housing numerous operational services and another building on the same property as city hall where a number of services residents use day-to-day will be based.

While the city hall property would house the new building, city hall would remain.

While the city expects to spend $21 million on the project in 2015, a further $33.8 million is outlined in the 2016 provisional budget along with a final $1.5 million in the 2017 provisional capital budget.

As Mayor Dan Curtis outlined in his budget speech Monday evening: “The top priority for this capital budget is the city’s building consolidation project that will see new services and operations buildings for Whitehorse.

“By moving and consolidating our services and operations, this project will reduce heavy equipment in the downtown core, and free up prime real estate for development in our downtown and industrial areas, while still ensuring easy access to city services.

“On top of that, it will significantly reduce energy costs over the long term, improve service delivery and increase operational efficiencies.”

The mayor went on to note the economic opportunities the project will present to local businesses, contractors, tradespeople and suppliers.

Funding for the project is anticipated to come from the federal gas tax, city reserves and low-cost financing.

“There is a strong business case for this project, and this is the right time to move forward,” Curtis said.

“The city has examined a range of options and solutions. After taking a hard look at our budget and our needs, we chose the most practical and affordable option.

“This project provides the best solution for moving the city to where we want to be, a more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable place with a vision for a thriving future.”

An open house focused on the building consolidation project is set for 5-7 p.m. Nov. 19 at city hall.

In his speech, the mayor went on to note the $250,000 planned to be spent next year on implementing the city’s Solid Waste Action Plan, which aims to divert 50 per cent of waste from the landfill by 2015 with a goal of zero waste by 2040.

Pointing to last month’s closure of the Raven Recycling Society’s depot for non-refundable recyclables, Curtis said the city shares the concern of residents over the reduction of recycling options in the city.

Non-refundable recycling can continue to be dropped off at P&M Recycling on Ray Street and at the city landfill.

Or, residents can sign up for recycling pick-up with the Yukon Blue Bin Society, but many residents have argued the closure of Raven’s depot will have a negative impact on recycling efforts in Whitehorse.

“We share those concerns, especially for the long-term sustainability of our recycling system,” Curtis said.

“The current funding system that is in place in Whitehorse and Yukon is not sustainable. The city is committed to finding a solution.”

He then pointed to the city’s approval last week of spending $100,000 out of general reserves for a contract that will see the city implement a recycling collection system with the cost expected to be in residents’ utility bills.

Current estimates peg the program at $15 per month for a weekly collection service, but the plan being developed will confirm details such as the cost, schedule and so on.

The Yukon Blue Bin Society charges $20 per month for its twice-monthly pick-up service that residents can choose to sign up for.

“We recognize that we do not have enough resources to do this alone and will continue to work with Yukon government, the business community and others on a funding framework,” the mayor said.

“All waste costs money, whether it is recycled, composted or buried in the landfill. The city delivers waste disposal, composting and recycling services on a cost-recovery basis.

“These services are funded through tipping fees and utility fees, not tax dollars. We all create waste. We all need to pay our share.”

Costs associated with the new recycling program would be dealt with through the operating budget, expected to come forward in the coming weeks.

The mayor went on to outline a number of other projects covered under the proposed capital budget, including:

• $400,000 to replace a fire truck and a further $100,000 on other fire protection equipment;

• $750,000 for sewage lagoon odour mitigation;

• $400,000 on various parks and trails upgrades;

• $370,000 for improvements to the city’s recreation facilities;

• $260,000 to make the intersection at McIntyre Drive and Hamilton Boulevard at Bernie’s Race Trac Gas safer;

• $75,000 for a new Quartz Road crosswalk and another $105,000 to etch in permanent crosswalk markings around the city; and

• $350,000 on rural road surfacing, among a long list of other initiatives.

Curtis highlighted the consultation that went into coming up with the budget.

It included the interactive online tool used along with staff taking comments at various displays set up around the city, an open house and through emails and phone calls.

“There was a strong response to these consultation opportunities,” he said.

“The comments and suggestions will be presented at upcoming pubic input nights for the capital budget and the operating budget.”

The capital budget is presented ahead of the operational spending plan to help the contracting community prepare for the next year by knowing what contracts will be available.

If all goes according to schedule, the capital budget will be adopted on Dec. 8 following the input session and report.

It’s expected the operational budget, typically adopted in the new year, will come forward in the next few weeks.

The operational budget deals with the cost of running the city – including things like snow plowing, water and sewer services, garbage collection and landfill services, among others. It is through the operational budget that annual property tax rates and user fees are determined.

While the 2015 tax rate has yet to come forward, the provisional 2015 and 2016 budgets that were part of last year’s documents estimated a 2.3 per cent tax hike (not the 2.53 per cent increase reported incorrectly in Monday’s edition) for both years following the 1.7 per cent increase this year.