Ordeal ends with council ideologically split
Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Dec 20/00) - The city's budget passed Monday, but not before it exposed what once councillor called "deep ideological rifts" between council members.
| Fact File
2001 budget revenues: $34.5 million Expenditures: $31.5 million New borrowing: $854,000 Debt repayment: $4.3 million Contingency reserve up $50,000, now $231,000 Special grants up $50,000 now $100,000 Amended spending City pins cut ($10,000) Weekly newsletter Skyline to become semi-annual, saving ($10,000) Participation in the Cordilleran mining conference in Vancouver cancelled: ($3,100) Utility bills issued quarterly ($15,000) Library needs study cut ($10,000) Snow removal study deferred ($25,000) St. Joseph's Ball Field sodding eliminated ($30,000) Increased revenue Free parking at Petitote park ended: $13,000. Total: $116,100
|
Ben McDonald, Blake Lyons, Dave McCann, Allan Woytuik and Robert Hawkins voted to pass the budget with amendments that cut services and raise fees to add cash to the contingency and special grants funds.
The budget was in limbo for two weeks when council told administrators to find $100,000 for the contingency and special grants funds.
Administration returned with 20 suggestions.
A special priorities, policies and budget committee meeting whittled those to nine.
Some councillors blamed the budget process for the delay while others praised administrators for finding alternatives.
"Administration has helped us tremendously," said Coun. Blake Lyons.
The process exposed differences. Kevin O'Reilly and Dave Ramsay sit side by side in council, but represent opposite ends of the spending debate.
"Some on council are hell-bent on slashing and burning but others want to maintain services," said O'Reilly.
"A new process will not fix it, we're going to have to fight it out," he said.
Coun. Dave Ramsay said the city didn't cut enough.
He said council did not save taxpayers any money, it was simply number shuffling.
"I see $300,000 in savings that would not adversely affect services," said Ramsay, who opposed the city's proposed purchase of a $150,000 ambulance.
One taxpayer who listened to the debate was pleased with the discussion.
"This was the most contemplative budget I've seen in 10 years," said Yellowknife resident Matthew Grogono.
"The level of debate and respect is unprecedented," he said.
