Council debates balancing inflation

BONNERS FERRY — City Council members discussed the city budget Tuesday, including adjustments for inflation, while debating a raise for staff to counterbalance rising inflation.

With prices going up from fuel to equipment, the city of Bonners Ferry is trying to balance its budget for fiscal year 2023.

Looking over the 2022 and 2023 budgets, council members discussed whether city staff should receive a 3% wage increase or a dollar per hour raise. Council members were in favor of a dollar over a percentage increase since it would better affect staff members that make less per hour.

Mayor Dick Staples said that a 75-cent increase would be preferable to a dollar, since it would not result in adding to the deficit in the general budget. The general budget for 2023 already has a $7,456.05 deficit. A $1 increase would raise that deficit to around $13,000.

The council instructed Lisa Aliport, city administrator to run the numbers again, this time with a 75-cent-per-hour increase for staff. To brainstorm how to cut the remaining deficit, the council and department heads will meet Tuesday, July 5, at 9 a.m. in city hall chambers. The meeting is open to the public.

The next regular city council meeting is scheduled for July 5 at 6 p.m.