It’s hoped Common Council will be able to narrow down its priorities to between 3 and 5 in a couple of weeks time.
A survey of Saint Johnners was conducted in late August. It shows they are satisfied with police and fire services but more work has to be done on public transit, snow removal, sidewalks and recycling.
Mayor Don Darling says if the city continues to deliver services more efficiently, millions of additional dollars could be had. The city’s Finance Committee has been told changes to city services have saved taxpayers over 387 thousand dollars with the goal in 2017 being half a million dollars.
City Manager Jeff Trail told Council he would like to see the priorities finalised quickly so they fit with spending in the 2017 budget.
Darling also says there are no plans to decommission any ice rinks in the city although several are aging and hard decisions will have to be made about whether more money should be spent to keep them going. He wants to see a study done on the demand for ice times and advocates a regional recreation plan be put in place.
