The challenging task of crafting Thunder Bay’s next budget is looming.
Councillor Mark Bentz will be joined by City Treasurer Linda Evans, and City Manager Norm Gale, for an online public meeting Tuesday, June 22nd, to take questions on an overall view of the budget.
He notes in the past city council has approved budgets at, or near inflation, while at the same time maintaining reserves that can handle tough times such as the pandemic. “The outlook for the future though, in our forecast shows 3.5 to 4-percent increases, on the horizon. That doesn’t mean that’s going to happen.”
The councillor points out while Thunder Bay is in good shape, adjustments to spending may be needed to stay at inflation.
He acknowledges they’ll be sifting through a vast variety of opinions for how to spend money, whether it be on roads, the turf facility or police headquarters, and working to present the facts.
“That is the job of any communicator, to get the truth out and to reinforce it, and to keep the trust. Some people don’t want to hear the truth, they want to believe what they believe, and that’s human nature,” says Bentz. He also says there are three sides to every story…. yours, mine, and the middle.
The hour long meeting, starting at 6:30, will also touch on advantages Thunder Bay has. You can submit questions anytime beforehand.
