Winnipeg, MB - The Winnipeg Public Service anticipates that a projected $11.2 million deficit, in large part the result of increased snowfall and demand for snow clearing, will be eliminated by year-end.
In an administrative report published today, the Public Service outlines three main areas of over-expenditure that have contributed to the City’s forecasted $11.2 million deficit, as of June 30, 2013:
- Numerous, heavy snow accumulations in the winter drove snow clearing expenditures over budget by $10.5 million
- The Fire Paramedic Service is over budget by $3.4 million, due to over-expenditures on salaries and benefits, including overtime combined with lower-than-anticipated ambulance revenues
- The Police Service is over budget, primarily due to higher-than-expected contributions to the police pension plan, and lower-than-anticipated revenue for traditional traffic enforcement
Based upon experience of the past few years, it is not unusual for the first and second quarter forecast to report a projected deficit. Such projected deficits can be managed through expenditure control, without impacting core City services to citizens.
The Public Service is also exploring recommendations to reduce emergency services overtime without impacting public safety.
The report will be considered by the Standing Policy Committee on Finance at its meeting on Friday, September 13, 2013.