Finance Director Valérie Parisien confirmed to the United Counties of Prescott and Russell council (UCPR), during its March 11 committee of the whole session, that a surplus might result following the annual spring audit, but she does not know yet how large it might be.

“We are looking at a potential surplus,” Parisien said during a later interview, adding that she expects confirmation next month, following the audit.

Parisien noted that some of last year’s expenses for the UCPR proved less than projected, and some projects budgeted for 2019 did not go ahead as planned. Also, she observed, UCPR staff in every department were conservative about their estimates on operation and capital needs, in anticipation of possible provincial government funding cuts.

The UCPR policy on surpluses is that first, any budget surplus for public works or another specific department goes into a special reserve fund for that department. Any leftover surplus from the UCPR budget goes into the working fund reserve. This year, Parisien would like to see that money go into the Prescott-Russell Residence special reserve fund instead, and the committee of the whole agreed with her suggestion.