Although he hated to do it, the mayor says he couldn’t vote in favour of the 2011 budget.
Keith Hobbs and Coun. Larry Hebert were the only two members of council to vote against the 2011 budget Tuesday which proposes a 1.27 per cent tax increase. Hobbs said his goal of giving a zero per cent increase was harder than he thought but the city still could have done better.
"Maybe it isn’t possible but we should have that in mind I think to try and alleviate that burden on the taxpayer," said Hobbs. "I wasn’t as easy as I thought it was going to be."
Hobbs said it was a learning experience for him and with crumbling roads and pothole season coming up, he thinks the city is moving in the right direction to tackle the $15 million infrastructure deficit.
That deficit was addressed through an approved amendment by Coun. Mark Bentz for an additional $500,000 for infrastructure this year. That money will come from several sources including the winter control reserve fund. Bentz said the now $2 million extra this year is a start but the city needs to find more money for the problem.
"We need to make that money up because it’s not going to get any cheaper deferring work like that," Bentz said.
Coun. Ken Boshcoff had proposed three amendments that would have removed three additions council had approved in earlier budget meetings. Removing the widening of Shuniah Street for $160,000, a $24,000 Lakehead Region Conservation Authority staff position and $25,000 for brushing along the "Black Path" would have shown the public that council was listening to their call to trim the budget.
"This would give us a chance to demonstrate to the community that we really are trying to hold the line," said Boshcoff.
City council will ratify the budget March 7.
