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IQALUIT - Councillor Simon Nattaq has been appointed by council to be Iqaluit’s new deputy mayor, effective March 1.

He was nominated for the position by councillor Glenn Williams during the last meeting of city council, Feb. 10.

Coun. Jimmy Kilabuk: “I’m sure $90,000 isn’t a big deal. I’m sure it’s enough for running an election.” - Carolyn Sloan/NNSL photo

Williams’ name was also put forward by councillor David Alexander, but he declined the nomination.

Nattaq was initially elected to council in 1997 and is currently serving his third term.

The role of deputy mayor was previously filled by councillor Allen Hayward.

Race organizers seek support

City council has tasked its economic development officer with helping to find funding for the Qimualaniq Quest annual dog sled race between Iqaluit and Kimmirut this March.

Amy Elgersma came before council on behalf of the organizers of the race to request a $5,000 contribution from the city.

“We are hoping the city of Iqaluit will again sponsor the race,” she told council. “Not only is it a dog team race, it’s a community event.”

Deputy mayor Allen Hayward said the city had not budgeted for the race and that funding provided last year was secured externally through Iqaluit’s economic development officer.

Council passed a motion to allow the EDO to provide the same support for this year’s race.

Councillor Simon Nattaq later expressed concerns about the event, adding there was “a very bad accident” during the last race that required the services of the search and rescue team.

He also said the previous year he wrote a personal cheque for $1,000 because the organizers discovered last minute that they needed more fuel.

“I hope that they have thought of everything so they wouldn’t need emergency funding,” said Nattaq through a translator.

CAO John Hussey said the city is reimbursed for the cost of search and rescue missions.

Ejesiak appointed

Council approved a motion to re-appoint Kirk Ejesiak to be the chief municipal electoral officer.

Ejesiak previously held the position in 2006, which entails overseeing almost every aspect of the election process, from preparing a list of eligible voters to setting up poll booths and counting votes.

The expenses involved with the role amount to $90,000, including salary.

Councillor Jim Little did not support the motion, arguing that the city should tender the position and see if they could reduce costs.

“I think we should go to an RFP for this,” he said. “I just thought that it should become a competition.”

In the end, the majority of councillors agreed that the cost was fair and that Ejesiak was well qualified.

“I’m sure $90,000 isn’t a big deal,” said councillor Jimmy Kilabuk through a translator. “I’m sure it’s enough for running an election.”

Budget approved

Council approved a balanced budget for 2009 with changes to city rates, including a one half mill increase to the mill rate, a two per cent increase in the water rate for non-residential customers and a two per cent decrease in the rebate to residential customers.

Garbage rates were also increased, with the residential rates rising by a flat rate of $5 per month.

The budget was approved by all councillors, with the exception of Little.

“I’m not in favour of the budget as it is,” he told council. “This is a time of restraint economically throughout the country.”

Little argued that there were ways the budget could have been reduced and that even taxes could have been reduced. Hayward thanked staff for their efforts to put together the budget.

“It was a great feat,” he said, adding it was the smallest mill rate increase in eight years despite the rising costs.

“The citizens of Iqaluit should be very pleased with this budget with a very small increase.”