Modest spending in uncertain economic times was a common practice for Mayor Stephen Mandel and city council in 2008.
Neither the mayor nor any councillor went above their budget constraints, which include travel, communications, research, promotional items, hosting, tickets, memberships, parking and staff salaries.
Mandel’s office flew under its $1.2-million budget by $50,000, roughly a repeat performance of 2007.
The mayor’s office will be cutting a few more corners this year, as the 2009 budget has been frozen at $1.2 million. Ten staffers are due a four per cent cost-of-living increase, motivating thrifty decision-making, like cutting back on advertising and using in-house resources, said spokeswoman Patricia Misutka.
No councillors went over their allotted $92,000 budget. The biggest spender was Coun. Amarjit Sohi, who undershot by $300.
