Brownsburg-Chatham to finish 2010 with deficit

The annual mayor's report on the financial situation of Brownsburg-Chatham was released last month in anticipation of the municipality's 2011 budget, which was expected to be unveiled Tuesday evening, December 21.

As of December 31, 2009, the municipality's deficit stands at $1.89 million. In reading the report, Mayor Georges Dinel said this figure includes the 2009 deficit of $1.52 million as well as about $470,000 from previous deficits in 2007 and 2008.

His report noted the municipality had to adopt a borrowing by-law this year to finance this deficit, which will be repaid over a period of five years, beginning in 2011.

According to the report, the 2009 deficit is "due to an excess of expenditures" in the following areas: transportation ($500,000), health ($54,000), urban planning ($297,000), leisure and culture ($472,000), and financing costs and miscellaneous tasks ($260,000).

Operating revenues in 2009 were about $7.45 million and earnings from investments were $698,155. Expenses for the same year were $10.9 million, including depreciation, while capital expenditures were $2.6 million, expenditures for capital reimbursement were $553,032, and investments were pegged at $71,108.

Preliminary budget figures for the 2010 fiscal year indicate the municipality will finish the current year with a $400,000 deficit. The budget had provided for revenues and expenditures of about $8.47 million.

"However, we will strive to reduce the deficit to a minimum by compressing our costs and maximizing the sale of land," the report stated. "A decision will be made shortly regarding the financing of this deficit."

Under the municipality's three-year capital works program, which the new council adopted last December, $8.5 million has been spent of the $20.3 million it anticipated over three years. This amount included works on Rue Saint-Joseph and in the downtown core, as well as the purchase of an excavator.

In the coming years, Brownsburg-Chatham would like to invest more into its parks, and will make use of a $139,000 Hydro-Québec compensation payment (for the installation of a transmission line through municipal territory) to do so.

In addition, the report forecasts a focus on the updating of certain water and sewer mains, funded in part through provincial gas tax grants, and repairs of various sections of road.

In 2010, Dinel received a salary of $24,272 and another $12,136 in expenses. The pro-mayor receive $9,193 in salary and $4,596 in expenses, while councillors received $8,090 and $4,045, respectively.

Elected officials also benefit from a pension plan administered by CARRA.

The municipal management reports for the years 2008 and 2009 were deposited at the September municipal council meeting and any resident may now consult them on Brownsburg-Chatham's website.