Council Preview: Budget direction under review

City council will be examining the municipality's long-term budget direction when they meet tonight.

TBNewsWatch.com
Oct. 3, 2016

THUNDER BAY - City council will take a good look at the municipality’s long-term budget direction tonight.

According to a staff report, the city is expected to start the 2017 budget with a tax levy increase of 5.4 per cent.

They're recommending council pass $1.8 million in spending reductions, which would bring the levy increase down to 4.4 per cent.

Meanwhile a second report on options for dealing with the Emerald Ash Borer will also be presented.

Council received a report on the invasive species in July, with treatment options priced in the $6.5 million range.

However, council was unsatisfied with the report and asked staff to produce another.

The new report reiterates that there are 6,000 ash trees on city land and all are believed to be at risk of the ash borer.

The cost of a city-wide treatment plan remains in the $6-million range.

Staff is recommending $550,000 be allocated in next year's budget for treatment of ash trees.