A two day affair finished with little interest, really,  by the public on Wednesday

Budget meetings open to the media and public. No one attends. But they are televised for those interested.

Basics:

9 percent tax increase on general budget – designed to increase capacity and to be spent mostly on the capital side.

Approvals:

should we have a separate in-house bylaw department?- the answer yes – why might be your question. Contractors come and go. Having full time staff allows for tighter management and better utilization of staff and resources… Total cost $44 thousand.

should we spend a lot on studying traffic patterns on Fairview? – no was the answer.  The problems self evident. Solutions not apparent. Maybe a 4 way at Rd 2 and Fairview Rd but not yet. Study the intersection at Station Street and Fairview Rd including the bridge area east of intersection. Plan to spend $8K for a list of recommendations to improve traffic.

should victim services hours be increased?  – another $15 thousand approved

should food security program be continued? – yes $15K

Major Capital projects approved:

Rehabilitation of Packinghouse Lane,  Airport Street and  top of Co-op Avenue  $1.05M, Developer of low cost housing project east of Airport Street responsible for approx. $300k of this project.

Fairview Bridge – Repairs and Maintenance – $302k

Fire Department  – Tender Truck replacement – $100k

Fire Department  – Command Vehicle New – $50k

Solar Panels on Fire Hall – $58k