Some departments spent way less than forecast, while others were deep in red ink, all amounting to a $2.1 million deficit for Greater Sudbury's budget in 2018.
Since cities can't actually run deficits, the shortfall will be made up using reserve funds. A report the city's finance committee Tuesday detailed what led to the shortfall.
The biggest deficit was in linear infrastructure (roads, sewer, etc.), which went overbudget by $1.42 million. Winter maintenance costs were $2.39 million higher than budgeted, an amount offset by road summer maintenance, which was $740,000 underbudget, as well as streetlighting ($110,00 under) and public works ($120,000 under).
Greater Sudbury Fire Services was overbudget by $1.1 million, primarily due overtime costs driven up by WSIB changes and modified work ($990,000).
Sudbury Transit spent $1.05 million more than forecast, largely a result of higher than expected bus maintenance costs ($730,000) and higher fuel prices ($430,000). And uptick in bus pass sales helped offset the red ink by $285,000.
In the leisure department, a reduction in the number of groups renting ice time, community halls and ski hills helped create a $690,000 shortfall.
On the positive side, the capital planning department came in $500,000 underbudget, largely due to staff vacancies. Similarly, the engineering department spent
$490,000 less because of vacancies, as did social services ($560,000 underbudget).
