Murray Wood: Who's hot... and who's not
Every Friday, Murray Wood takes a look back at the week's news and decides who's hot... and who's not. This week's list ...
Regina Mayor Michael Fougere warned of tough choices ahead of Monday night’s special city council meeting.
On Friday, the city unveiled an amended city budget that would address the estimated $10.3 million dollar shortfall left by the provincial budget.
In it, there was word of another property tax hike that would hit the average homeowner with close to another $50 a year. The administration also suggests increasing several fees, a move it estimates will generate $630,000 in 2017 alone.
But the amended budget contains more hikes. It will also see the end of two city-owned facilities: the Leslie Lawn Bowling Greens and the Regent Park Golf Course, which would save the city $65,300 and $36,000 respectively.
Many programs also get the axe in the proposed budget, like the Agribition transit grant, which will save the city $60,000 in 2017; the Playescapes summer day camp program, which will save $125,000 in 2017; conventional bus service on statutory holidays, which will amount to $68,300 in savings in 2017; and the printed city leisure guide, which will save the city $40,000 in 2017.
The city will also do away with the collection depot program, which includes leaf and yard waste, household hazardous waste and the Treecycle program. That will bring in savings to the tune of $400,000.
Solid waste collection will move to a biweekly schedule in the fall, a move the city says will save $132,000 in 2017. The landfill will also be moving to winter hours, which means it will be only open Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
City council meets tonight at 5:30. The meeting is open to the public.
