Bruce Telecom has a budget for 2015, but the future of the utility remains uncertain.
Kincardine council accepted the $18-million budget as proposed, which includes a $3-million capital investment, but Chief Financial Officer Steve Soychak says not to expect any expansion from Bruce Telecom this year.
When asked by council if the budget is a status quo budget, Soychak responded it's a budget that reflects the context that Bruce Telecom finds itself in, with the new council yet to commit to either selling or retaining the company.
"The capital budget itself does consider any significant geographical territorial expansions as it stands. It's really built based on our existing territory," says Soychak.
Soychak says Bruce Telecom's traditional landline subscriber base is decreasing by about six-percent per year, while they are seeing slight increases in television, Internet and wireless revenues.
All told, the budget projects a profit of about $785,000 in 2015.
Councillor Randy Roppel says council left itself with no choice but to accept the budget because they have yet to give any indication as to its future plans for Bruce Telecom.
"We're going to have to, I guess, be asked to make a decision as to whether it will still be for sale, or if we will continue on with a five year plan, a business plan, which I would like to see myself," says Roppel.
Kincardine council went into closed session following the acceptance of the Bruce Telecom budget, citing strategic direction of Bruce Telecom as the reason for going behind closed doors.
Bruce Telecom will again be on the council agenda on Wednesday, when council considers a motion from Councillor Laura Haight to hold more discussions with Eastlink, in an effort to mitigate issues that caused the Competition Bureau to nix the proposed sale last summer.
