SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Two city councillors faced off over the budget process after one took issue with road paving decisions made in December of last year.

"I'm going to take every opportunity that I can to raise these kinds of issues until we get some kind of changes to our process that I'm going to feel more comfortable with," said Coun. David Wind.

The discussion began with Wind questioning how administration decided what roads would be a part of the 2011 paving program.

In the budget, four roads will receive repairs: Old Airport Road between Cemetery Road and Borden Drive, 52 Street between Franklin Avenue and 49 Avenue, Woolgar Avenue, and Drybones Drive.

"I note the section on Old Airport Road, yes I think it could be improved, but it seems to me that it's not in too bad of shape and I would think there may be some areas in the city that residents might feel are in greater need for some remedial paving," he said making note of 52 and 54 Avenue.

After administration explained that some of the roadwork identified for this year was already in progress, Coun. Bob Brooks took the opportunity to question Wind on the timing of his questions.

"My immediate reaction is that councillor Wind must have missed a few meetings," he said.

"During the budget session itself we did get a document ahead of time and in that it showed the detailed amount of which roads would be paved, how much it was going to cost, how they met the priority and then during the discussions we had an opportunity and did ask some questions about the various roads that were being proposed for paving, at which time council then basically ratified the budget with the items and the roads that were planned.

"So I didn't think tonight was the time to discuss which roads were being planned."

Wind responded by saying although Brooks might be comfortable with the discussions that were held and the process the city uses, that's not the case for everyone.

"I would just like to observe that perhaps with councillor Brooks' long tenure with council, that he might be very familiar with how things have been done in the past and fairly satisfied with how things were handled and how they came forward, but I don't mind indicating to fellow councillors and to the public that I'm not satisfied with the way that the budget has come forward and the opportunity that council has to steer the preparation of the budget."

Council was discussing the paving program because of a recommendation from administration to award NWT Construction, the only company to submit a tender, with a contract for the $3-million project.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.