The outgoing lead on finance with the capital city believes St. John’s is in as good of a position as possible heading into the new year.

Dave Lane is wrapping up his tenure on city council and one of his last acts in the position was tabling the 2021 budget earlier this month.

It included no mil rate increases but did feature a number of fee hikes to help balance the books.

Lane says the budget was the best one the city could present and notes the determination of staff to work through snowmageddon and the pandemic as reasons for optimism heading into 2021.

He says the budget they’ve created plus the organization they have at city hall creates an “excellent” foundation for residents heading into an unpredictable new year.