THUNDER BAY -- City council managed to shave a bit more off of its proposed budget but mainly through a move that wasn't recommended.
Council went through its options package Wednesday night that included several reductions that could lower the proposed levy increase.
Development and emergency services manager Mark Smith cautioned though that those options weren't recommended. Administration put a proposed budget and then provided council with options as directed but all of those options were provided with consequences.
Administration feels the weight of the city's budget challenges but those consequences could add to more costs down the road.
"I want to be crystal clear this is not the recommendation from administration,” he said.
Smith made the comments after council was deciding whether to buy delay a new $650,000 fire truck until next year.
It decided against the idea but did delay the purchase of a $400,000 bus, something that acting community services manager Gerry Broere would just mean that council would at least double it's fleet purchase budget next year.
Plus the older buses are more costly to maintain, which is why administration has a replacement plan. Mayor Keith Hobbs, who voted to defer the bus, said from police cars to buses the city needs to look into its vehicles.
"I think we need to assess our fleet with everything," he said.
"Why do we have to replace them all the time? Let’s make them last longer.”
Smith said that administration does everything it can to stretch the lifespan of vehicles. Deferring a vehicle purchase until the next year won't save money.
Any modification on how we use it will not drive material savings,” he said.
Deputy fire chief Greg Hankkio said Thunder Bay Fire Rescue will put up to 40,000 kilometres a year on a truck.
They'll put vehicles at different stations to try and reduce how many kilometres a pumper sees to try and expand its life.
Budget chair Coun. Frank Pullia said delaying a purchase isn't just about finding more room in this year's budget.
"The intent is to find longterm operational savings,” he said.
Council also voted to add $42,700 for its climate adaptation coordinator with an aditinoal $20,000 expected from outside sources such as grants, $50,000 for libraries and $22,000 for the Waterfront BIA. The current proposed levy increase is 5.37 per cent, 3.43 for existing taxpayers.
Council has its last budget meeting Feb. 25.
