The gravity of Monday night’s city council agenda is not taken lightly by Current River’s representative.
Andrew Foulds tells us ratifying the multi-use indoor turf facility, possibly reducing city council’s size, and the 2021 budget forecast, which he considers council’s most important item, makes for a serious evening.
“I would say every Monday night is a significant evening, but this one in particular, we are looking at a lot of different things. Certainly all of them weigh heavily on my mind,” says Foulds.
That budget forecast will show council Thunder Bay is looking at a 5.9% tax levy increase for 2021. The majority of it, $8.4-million, is due to COVID-19. City staff will show it is working to drop that rate to 3.45%, for savings of $4.9-million. The city adds if COVID-19 did not exist, the increase would be 1.7%, after growth is factored in.
He adds all 13 members will make tough decisions based on what they feel is best for Thunder Bay, on a night he considers in the top five of nights of importance during this term of council. “All members of council, whether they are new or veterans, nights like this weigh heavy on our minds. There are sleepless nights, there are long hours.”
Foulds adds he will draw of his experience as a four term councillor, as well as offer advise to new members, if asked.
“When a relatively new member reaches out to me, I feel very honoured and privileged that they would. I try to do my best to make suggestions and give advise,” says the Current River councillor.
He adds there will be an update on how fire emergency services are provided, as well as a motion from Councillor Mark Bentz to delay finding companies to build the multi-use indoor turf facility by 90 days.
