Lachine adopts its 2009 Budget

The Arrondissement’s operational budget – soon to be presented to Ville de Montréal’s Executive Committee – plans to maintain the current tax rate and allow for cost increases due to economic factors, all the while achieving fiscal balance and preserving the current quality of service.

The budget addresses the usual concerns expressed by elected officials when producing annual budget forecasts. While remaining rigorous, the primary objective for 2009 will be to maintain the current level of services offered to citizens.

The 2009 budget and the 2009-2011 CWP provide for numerous projects, including paving and repairs on several roadways such as rue Fairway and boulevard Saint-Joseph. Additionally, renovation plans for Lachine’s two arenas will be made possible by a $600,000 contribution from the Energy Fund, which will be reimbursed over a six-year period with the energy savings generated by the renovations. Opening hours at the Bibliothèque municipale Saul-Bellow will be extended. Maintenance of the buildings, equipment, vehicles, machinery and tools used by the Arrondissement will also account for a large proportion of the expenses in the coming year. “My colleagues of the borough council and I are determined to complete many more projects during the next few years, and in order to increase available funds, the Arrondissement proactively sought out new sources of financing. Thanks to various external funding sources, we are expecting an additional $10M for projects such as the complete renovation of the pool and clubhouse at Parc Kirkland, paving and mechanical work at Musée de Lachine, the transformation of the former Saint-Pierre fire station into a food market, redevelopment of Parc René-Lévesque and other parks on our territory, and much, much more,” said Claude Dauphin, borough mayor.

The Arrondissement de Lachine’s 2009 budget is $30,817,300. Compared to fiscal year 2008, differences in expenses and revenue are minimal. Please note that the slight increase in revenue was mostly generated by budgetary items attributed to leisure and general administration. Pricing for household refuse collection ($30 per housing unit) will remain stable for a third consecutive year, while the water tax will decrease from $113 to $96 per housing unit.