“What can we live without?”

“That Council directs Administration to prepare a report providing an option for a one million dollar reduction to the Police Services operating budget for Council’s consideration.”

Council emphasized the need to appreciate the work of the police, which was reflected in the outcome of the Citizen Budget.

The Director of Public Safety, Adam Davey noted that a million-dollar cut to the policing budget would result in the loss of five officers.

“But the reduction can’t be achieved overnight,” he noted, saying that would have to be reached over time through things like transfers and attrition.

The second recommendation sought some additional information for how the City could “reduce the proposed tax levy to prepare a report providing options for a 4.37% increase to the estimated general operating levy for Council’s consideration, which is 2% less than the initial projections.”

However Councillor Ramsay noted she would like to leave some of the core budgets – roads, snow removal and general infrastructure – alone.

“What can we live without.”

Last year, Council approved setting aside half of the $6.1 million Safe Restart dollars to ensure a zero percent tax hike for tax payers. But as the Director of Finance noted, the initially-bleak picture of recreational revenue did not transpire and it may be that none of the $6.1 million was actually spent.

However, he also noted the tremendous amount of work that will transpire with the recommendations means the budget book will definitely no be available before Christmas, as is the norm.

Two days have been set aside at the end of January for budget discussions.

by Cheryl Jahn

“What can we live without?”

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