SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A Chamber of Commerce suggestion for the city to contract out more services to the private sector drew a testy response during presentations for the city's 2011 budget Monday night at city hall.

"A lot of people believe the private sector can do a better job than the public sector," said a visibly upset Dennis Kefalas, director of public works for the city.

"You should ask the actual members of the Chamber of Commerce, how many ... of their companies have actually decreased their costs over the years?"

Kefalas was responding to remarks made by Warren McLeod, president of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, who made a presentation to city council outlining the chamber's suggestions for the draft budget - a budget which calls for a 3.99 per cent property tax increase and $64 million in spending, up from $62 million last year.

The city needs a strategic plan for auditing its spending to help determine what services the private sector could provide in a more cost effective manner than the city, said McLeod.

"We suggest this would be an opportunity to reduce costs and tax burdens on residents of Yellowknife," said McLeod.

He acknowledged the city's efforts to lower the tax increase proposal from an earlier forecast for 7.2 per cent, but added, "it's important to mention that an increase is still an increase, and we would like to see the trend continue to decline toward zero."

During his response, Kefalas admitted he was getting "passionate" about the issue.

"They're just as accountable," he said, referring to Yellowknife businesses, as Carl Bird, director of corporate services, placed a hand on his arm.

McLeod later told Yellowknifer that the chamber isn't trying to step on anybody's toes, it just wants to help the city improve.

City councillor David Wind said he agreed with many of the chamber's suggestions, which also included raising user fees for facilities like the Fieldhouse as a way to lower taxes.

"I find myself very closely aligned with most of the recommendations that the chamber is bringing forward; whether or not I'll be successful in having the budget adjusted in accordance with those suggestions remains to be seen," he said.

The Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce was one of five groups to present a budget wishlist to council.

Of the other four, two related to sports.

The first was for a proposed outdoor regulation-size, artificial sports field. Of the more than 80 people at city hall, about 50 of them were there to support the proposal, which was presented by Ryan Fequet, president of the NWT Soccer Association, and Christian Bertelsen, president of the Yellowknife Soccer League.

Kevin Hodgins, president of the Yellowknife Ski Club, also gave a presentation asking the city not to forget about cross-country skiing, which he feels hasn't had comparable support or recognition.

Hodgins requested the city help with operation and maintenance costs, including those for snow removal and trail maintenance, and to keep the ski club in mind for future improvements.

"We want to be on the list, you know, when the next capital infrastructure planning horizon hits and we're looking at other improvements for a city. We want to be recognized as something that would bring huge value to our population."

The final two presentations came from George Lessard and David Prichard, who each spoke of the need for the city to fund the arts to attract tourists to Yellowknife.

Council will consider the proposals presented Monday and vote on the budget next week.

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