Whitehorse could see a small surplus at the end of the year, city council heard Monday night. Third quarter reports show the city is $38,988 under budget. This represents less than one per cent of the city’s budget, so increased expenses could cancel it out.
Lower heating costs at the Canada Games Centre are a big reason for the surplus. Costs at the centre have fallen by over $67,000. But revenues from monthly passes are down by $89,000. Income from drop-in visits and punch passes is increasing. That, combined with revenue from program fees and building rentals, is supposed to make up for the deficit.
There has been less building activity than expected, so revenue in that area is $10,665 below budget.
This year’s surplus marks a big change from this time last year, when the city was over budget by $800,000.