The exterior of Saint John City Hall is pictured in this file photo. (Staff photo)
Saint John Common Council gave preliminary approval Monday to its 2021 operating budget, which eliminates the city’s $10-million deficit.
Councillors have called the $158-million document “historic” for allowing the city to move forward financially without depending on financial assistance from the province.
David Merrithew is both a councillor and chair of the finance committee, which approved the budget before it came to council. He said it was done after lots of hard work from the city office.
“We have had some very tough recommendations. We’ve made some tough, tough decisions,” Merrithew said. “But I think what we’ve done is right for the city of Saint John.”
Those tough decisions included $6 million in workforce adjustments, which represented cuts to city staff positions and emergency services, including the closure of the Millidgeville fire station.
Deputy Mayor Shirley McAlary agreed that the budget follows difficult decisions, but echoed Merrithew’s enthusiasm. She said the next council, after the next expected municipal election in 2021, is in a good position to continue the city’s upward financial trajectory.
“If everybody keeps the debt down, and goes along with all the policies we’ve put in place, then I think the city’s in a very positive situation,” McAlary said.
Councillor Blake Armstrong was also effusive in his praise of the budget.
“There’s three tower cranes up in Saint John, New Brunswick right now. It hasn’t been like that in 40 years,” Armstrong said. “We’re moving forward. There have been tough times, but there’s also resiliency.”
Council will vote to give the budget final approval in November.
