THOMPSON, MB – Normally around this time of year, Thompson residents begin receiving their annual property tax bills in the mail, six weeks or so before the due date at the end of September.

 

This year, the timeline has changed and the deadline for property tax payments has been extended to the last day of October.

 

The City of Thompson’s 2023 budget remains a work in progress, with council and city administration holding ongoing consultations on both operational and capital spending. They hope to have a preliminary financial plan ready for review soon.

 

As always, the proposed budget will be presented to the public before council votes on whether to adopt it, giving residents and taxpayers an opportunity to share their thoughts on city spending.

 

WHY IS THIS YEAR’S BUDGET LATE?

 

Budgets are developed through discussions among the city manager, the chief financial officer, department heads, and the mayor and council. The position of chief financial officer was vacant for six months until being filled in April, delaying the start of budget development until almost the time of year that it is normally wrapping up.

 

Conversations about the next year’s capital projects usually begin in August, so that plans are in place before the end of the year and tenders can be issued well before construction season. Once the capital budget is determined, administration and council start looking at operational expenses like wages, utilities and purchases related to routine city business.

 

“City staff and council have been working hard for the past four-and-a-half months to prepare this budget, work that is usually spread out over nine or 10 months,” said City Manager Anthony McInnis. “There is routine day-to-day work that must be completed as well, which can be challenging at a time when there are staff vacancies and large-scale infrastructure projects to oversee.”

 

Provincial legislation requires municipalities to approve and submit their budgets by May 15 unless they are granted an extension, as the City of Thompson was when it became evident that the budget could not be ready by the deadline. The city has kept the province informed on its budget process over the past few months.

 

 “Administration and council are eager to have this year’s budget out of the way so we can begin the process of planning for next year,” said McInnis. “We appreciate the patience of residents who are waiting to find out exactly how much their property taxes will be this year.”