It is unusual to see Sherbrooke Mayor Steve Lussier out in public without a smile on his face, but that was certainly the case on Monday afternoon as he presented the city of Sherbrooke’s 2020 operations budget. Projected to increase by 6.9 per cent to $336,602,650 from last year’s $315 million, the budget calls for a property tax increase of 5.74 per cent, 2.26 per cent of which goes directly to covering costs associated with troubled waste-management firm Valoris. “This is something I am asking of all citizens, we really need it,” Lussier said, reiterating the point he has made several times in recent weeks that the city believes in the importance of the waste management company despite its growing costs. He characterized the 2020 operations budget as one that was difficult to put together, but which he ultimately considers, “Responsible, and with a common vision that is focused on the future.” See full story in the Tuesday, Dec. 17 edition of The Record.
