Riverview's freshly elected town officials are facing their promises with the 2009 budget

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For the last two weeks, Riverview town council and staff have been putting in long hours trying to come up with a budget for next year that will make the most sense for everyone in this town.

It hasn't been an easy job. No-one wants to see programs or infrastructure cuts, and no-one wants a tax hike either.

Department heads were asked to shave down already bare budgets, while councillors debated over things like whether bare roads in winter are really necessary.

The outcome of all of these meetings will soon be seen, but one thing is certain. This will be the first real test for the new council.

Even with an experienced mayor, and four experienced councillors, the addition of new faces and priorities means a change in the way things get done.

Experience aside, councillors will have to defend their decisions, whether it is a tax increase of two cents or ten cents, or the decision to cut funding for programs or roads. In either case, they're in for a tough December.

Already, they have made bold choices, by telling the Codiac RCMP that they cannot afford the proposed increase in rates for their services, and asking them to reduce their numbers to just a four percent increase.

And they have pledged to take the budget through the provincial appeal procress, and hope that they will get the reductions they are looking for.

Policing costs are a struggle accross the nation this year, but local municipalities are the only ones not receiveing federal subsidies for regional policing.

It will be up to the councillors in Riverview, and their counterparts in Moncton, Dieppe and Sackville, to present a strong message to both the regional police force and any other organization looking to increase spending next year.

As households in Riverview tighten their belts for a year of budget strain, will our municipal offices have the fortitude to do the same?