Penticton City Council approved the city’s five year financial plan, including the 2014 budget, at a special meeting Friday morning.

Three councillors, Andrew Jakubeit, Helena Konanz (right) and John Vassilaki, were opposed to the adoption of the plan.

The three councilor opposed a 2 percent hike in taxes.

The increase is needed to deal with the $682,000 deficit the council was left with at the end of their deliberations.

“I think staff did a great job of bringing forward a responsible budget,” said Konanz.. “But more motions could have been made by council during the process to bring down the deficit. I made many, many motions to make cuts.”

Vassilaki also supported more cuts, rather than a tax increase, during the budget process.

Jakubeit voted against this year’s budget as the tax increase was beyond his comfort level and he thought more could be spent on economic development.

Thanks to Castanet