Thunder Bay has a $15-million problem, one that has Coun. Mark Bentz rightfully worried.
The money is what the city says its ongoing infrastructure spending will fall short this year.
About $7 million of that is for roads, with the rest spread out between bridges, buildings and other repairs.
Bentz said on Tuesday night he’s worried if it keeps up the city will find itself with a problem it can’t possibly solve.
City manager Tim Commisso, whose hands are tied by tight economic times, agreed.
Commisso knows infrastructure can’t be ignored. The people have made this loud and clear.
In the most recent citizen’s satisfaction survey, road maintenance far outstripped every other option listed for its improvement importance, tripling its nearest competitor, the police.
Commisso has proposed a $1.5 million infrastructure renewal fund, which council will vote on during budget deliberations.
It’s a start, but the city must act fast to close the gap. There are plenty of areas where the fat can be trimmed to free up funds to cover the cost, which taxpayers cannot be expected to fully fund.
Thunder Bay has the ability to remove itself from the list of cities facing huge infrastructure deficits, but only if the belt-tightening will is there.
The money is what the city says its ongoing infrastructure spending will fall short this year.
About $7 million of that is for roads, with the rest spread out between bridges, buildings and other repairs.
Bentz said on Tuesday night he’s worried if it keeps up the city will find itself with a problem it can’t possibly solve.
City manager Tim Commisso, whose hands are tied by tight economic times, agreed.
Commisso knows infrastructure can’t be ignored. The people have made this loud and clear.
In the most recent citizen’s satisfaction survey, road maintenance far outstripped every other option listed for its improvement importance, tripling its nearest competitor, the police.
Commisso has proposed a $1.5 million infrastructure renewal fund, which council will vote on during budget deliberations.
It’s a start, but the city must act fast to close the gap. There are plenty of areas where the fat can be trimmed to free up funds to cover the cost, which taxpayers cannot be expected to fully fund.
Thunder Bay has the ability to remove itself from the list of cities facing huge infrastructure deficits, but only if the belt-tightening will is there.
