The public works committee this week approved a two per cent budget increase for the department, which doesn’t include cutbacks in snowplow service, nor does it contain additional fees for waste collection.

Public works staff had suggested saving about $1 million in reduced snow plowing and adding a fee for bulk waste pick-up that would have raised $500,000 to cover falling recycling revenues.

Instead, the department will use revenues from its renewable energy department to offset any recycling losses and buy fuel for city vehicles at a lower cost, hoping gas prices won’t skyrocket this summer.

As for all those savings councillors and taxpayers expect from a lack of snow, Gerry Davis, public works general manager, poured cold water on those assumptions.

“Just because we don’t have snow doesn’t mean we have all kinds of savings, he said.

The city still has a host of fixed costs whether it snows or not, he said. Contracts have been established and employees have to be paid. The winter control budget for this year is about $24 million, based on a five-year average. Davis said he can reduce the budget by about $1 million.

Politicians, who a week ago were adamantly against any fee increases or service reductions, were satisfied with the changes the department staff made.

“I’m thrilled you are down to two per cent,” said Ancaster councillor Lloyd Ferguson. “I don’t see a lot of risk.”

The department’s initial budget increase hovered around the three per cent mark.

Added Mountain councillor Tom Jackson, “I’m really pleased and impressed. With winter control we are crossing our fingers.”

And despite some initial misgivings, councillors agreed to hire five temporary employees for the

Office of Energy Initiative. Geoff Lupton, manager of energy initiatives, provided a presentation that revealed the department, since its creation in 2008, has saved the city about $13.2 million.

Davis said the employees will be on contract. The money to pay them will be found within the city’s current budget.

“If they prove their worth, then we will keep them, with council’s approval,” he said.

Even though the public works budget met council’s two per cent increase goal, politicians still must decide whether to approve enhanced services they refused to debate at the committee level.

Councillors left in limbo services such as phase four of the city’s street tree trimming prgram at a cost of $530,000; $418,000 for the city’s parks and cemeteries; a street sweeper and operator for $263,000; and $51,000 for the forestry department and traffic upgrades at a cost of $59,000.

If councillors approve the programs, it would push the public works budget to nearly a three per cent increase. But politicians referred the proposals to a future committee of the whole budget meeting for discussion.

Councillors are hoping to finalize the 2010 budget by the end of this month.