As we near the end of the city’s budget talks, one Councillor wants to move more money into infrastructure repairs and maintenance.
Mark Bentz, who is also the Budget Chair, says he analyzed the last few budgets and feels we are spending more but not investing in the right areas. He says the tax levy has been rising over the years, but Council hasn’t been addressing the $22-million infrastructure deficit.
“This is millions of dollars that we have not been putting into our capital, which is why we don’t have replacement money for Dease Pool, why we don’t have replacement money for the Conservatory, and why other infrastructure may fail into the future,” Bentz claims.
The Councillor wants to find more cuts to free up money to put into social services. He says that could come from travel expenses, and by cutting back on hiring new city staff. The proposed budget includes the equivalent of eight full-time positions.
Bentz says he will put those suggestions forward at Wednesday’s meeting, but isn’t making any assumptions about whether his colleagues will agree with him.
“All I can do is provide information and my viewpoint,” Bentz notes, “What other Councillors decide upon, I totally respect that.”
Following Wednesday’s budget meeting, Council will hear post-budget deputations on February 3rd and then is expected to finalize the document on February 10th.
