It seems like a few themes emerged from the pre-budget consultations from Thunder Bay taxpayers.
The city reports 500 surveys were received with the following points emerging:
- Emergency services
- Winter maintenance
- Drinking water
- Road maintenance and construction
- Garbage and Recycling
- Wastewater
City officials also report, the write-in responses included addressing and supporting residents experiencing pinhole leaks, support for social services programs, crime prevention, not proceeding with the Multi-use Indoor Turf Facility and the need to be fiscally responsible.
“In terms of helping those that maybe can’t help themselves,” says Mark Bentz, when talking about the dominate theme of social programs. “That’s not surprising because we’re going through a difficult time so people are starting to look to how all of this is impacting others.”
Bentz feels citizens should have a significant say as to how to proceed with the 40 recommendations that city staff presented, that council could act upon to save about $2.6 million.
“Of course we’ll have debate around the table. Councillors may bring up certain reductions or expansions but I always look to the community. How is the community responding to these things?” notes Bentz.
The survey respondents indicated that child care, transit, and libraries were less important for the budget to address.
When asked how the city should cover increased costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 43% of respondents felt the city should draw from the reserve fund. 29% feel services should be temporarily modified or reduced, 22% say increase user fees to cover the shortfall while only 7% chose the increase tax capital option.
