(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Pricey pandemic

COVID-19 cost City of P.A. estimated $1.8 million in 2020

Apr 22, 2021 | 4:05 PM

The pandemic cost the City of Prince Albert an estimated $1.8 million in 2020 and finance staff are predicting a further $2.1 million hit in 2021.

The city’s director of financial services, Cheryl Tkachuk presented the latest figures to city council Monday night.

Estimated losses in 2020 are up $354,406 from the most recent previous projection. Tkachuk’s report explained the city saved less money than expected on reduced staffing at city facilities and brought in less parking revenue than previously anticipated.

Going forward, although the city laid out an estimated $2.1 million in COVID-related losses in the 2021 budget, Tkachuck told council she’s hopeful the financial forecast will improve.

“I’m really optimistic that with the vaccine rollout progressing in 2021, we won’t be needing that full budgeted amount,” she said.

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If losses do reach $2.1 million as predicted, the city is looking at a $161,510 shortfall at the end of the year.

Of the $4.4 million in federal and provincial COVID-19 relief funding Prince Albert has received, an estimated $1.8 million is needed to cover losses in 2020 and a further $582,000 was allocated in the 2021 budget, leaving roughly $2 million remaining.

Tkachuk will continue to provide COVID-19 financial impacts throughout the year. As she reminded council, the situation is in flux and subject to a number of factors.

“As we open or close our facilities and as we have people riding our transit system or not riding our transit system that will have an impact,” she said, giving examples of ways the pandemic has impacted the city’s finances.

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alison.sandstrom@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @alisandstrom