A motion to reduce the number of city councillors from 10 to eight members was shot down during Monday night’s meeting.
Councillor Gary Sullivan had proposed a reduction from 10 members to eight, as a way to save money in the face of a structural deficit.
The motion was not seconded, meaning it died before it got any discussion, explained Sullivan.
He says the very short timeline available for the changes was likely the cause.
“In order to have it all done we would’ve basically had to start a process and finished it in about 10 days in order to meet Elections New Brunswick’s requirement for the next election. I guess in my opinion it was worthy of having a full discussion about,” he said.
Sullivan says two more of his ideas were approved Monday, including a motion to explore a reduction in council’s spending budget to find savings.
“At least council will be looking inwardly at ourselves for where we can do some cost containment. A conversation is going to continue about potential savings in our Goods and Services budget. Our city staff and our finance committee is also going to have a look at where there might be potential savings,” she said.
A wage escalation cap for councillor salaries was also passed.
Sullivan says while he’s disappointed, he isn’t losing hope just yet.
He says the idea of a reducing members has been planted in council’s head, and hopes to see council discuss it again after next spring’s election.
“We need to be having full discussions about saving $2-million and we need to be having full discussions about $20,000 because every little bit counts for us to become as efficient as possible,” he said.