EDMONTON — The City of Edmonton is heading back in black and it has soaring photo radar revenues to thank.
In September, city administration estimated a nearly $11 million deficit for 2014. An updated report, which you can read in its entirety below, has turned that number into a $14 million surplus.
A majority of that surprise revenue is coming from photo radar. The controversial program has collected nearly $10 million more than predicted.
Last week councillors discussed how to improve transparency with the program, insisting it’s not a cash grab but a tool to prevent collisions by getting drivers to slow down.
READ MORE: ‘The first problem with photo radar is that there is not enough’: Dr. Francescutti
“Quite frankly, our numbers are up because people are still speeding,” said Ward 8 councillor Ben Henderson. “More people are speeding. The day that number goes down I think will be the day we all rejoice.
“But having collected the money, we got to figure out what to do with it. Throwing it up in the air and putting it down the drain…would make people equally upset.”
Not having to operate the long-delayed NAIT LRT line will result in an over $2 million savings.
Despite the surplus, Henderson points out that a big snowstorm can easily consume much of the cash.
A majority of last year’s $9 million surplus went to pay for housing, 311 equipment and uncompleted projects.
The updated numbers at Wednesday’s city council meeting. You can read the report below:
With files from Vinesh Pratap, Global News
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