The city will soon be facing a financial shortfall once aid from the province dries, up and Mayor Don Darling wants to get prepared.
He brought forward a motion Monday night to begin working on a restructuring plan that will be implemented as early as this fall.
Darling says the city faces a tough few years ahead, with a $12 million dollar operating deficit in 2021.
“I think folks need to understand that we need to move from illustrative examples of what cuts might look like to real examples of what cuts might look like, so lets roll our sleeves up and lets understand what $10-12 million dollars worth of impacts could look like to this community,” he said in an interview.
The city has said if no new revenue is found by 2020, cuts will have to happen across the board.
“If we’re going to close down arenas and swimming pools and stop doing roadwork and impact police and fire and employees and recreation and parks, we need to fess up to the citizens of this city and tell them this is where we are,” he said.
The plan will be sent to finance committee to see where those cuts can be made, and potential revenue streams.
“We paused in early 2018, and never anticipated that would be longer. I never anticipated that we would be sitting here in almost August of 2019 and still not have a plan in place,” he said.
Darling’s motion was unanimously supported by all councillors, including Coun. John Mackenzie, who agrees that the plan is long overdue.
“People are putting ideas forward on new revenue for the city of Saint John or save revenue…potentially, but there’s some ifs, ands or buts that have to be addressed,” said Mackenzie during the meeting.
Darling says he will still fight for reforms, but the city needs a Plan B.
“If we’re going to be left with a $12 million dollar problem—and that’s going to mean deep impacts to citizens in this city, employees and everyone else—it’s time to roll our sleeves up and get on with it,” said Darling.
