Thunder Bay councillors should take pay cut, resident says

Superior Morning3:16Thunder Bay city council budget public discussions

The city hosted its post-budget consultation meeting last night. The 2015 budget has a proposed tax hike of nearly four percent - less than the original proposal of a nearly seven percent increase. Two of the people to present include Jon Powers, a regulCity councillors in Thunder Bay were urged to take a pay cut by one man during public consultations Wednesday night on the 2015 budget.

Council is proposing a 3.9 per cent tax increase and new user fees.

The meeting was the last in a series before the budget vote is held on March 2.

Thunder Bay resident Jon Powers started off the meeting asking council members to lead by example.

"With that in mind, I'm here to request that elected council members roll back their wages a full 10 percent,” he said.

While the idea of cutting salaries didn't get much traction, Coun. Shelby Ch'ng did ask those who spoke of lowering taxes for some specifics on how to do it.

“Just give me a list of things you'd like to see evaporated from the budget," she said.

'Huge disparity'

While some taxpayers told council a proposed tax increase of 3.9 per cent is too high, others like Dean Stamler came forward with projects they want to see funded.

 "We have 1,950 kilometres of roadway and we have about 30 kilometres of active transportation infrastructure, and maybe 45 kilometres of multi-use trails,” said the cycling advocate.

“There's a huge disparity," Stamler said.

The city has to continue to fund active transportation routes, he said, to ensure that cycling remains a safe and attractive option for commuters in the city.

Thanks for spending

Poverty Free Thunder Bay came forward at the meeting to thank council for another spending decision.

Terri-Lynn Carter, who spoke for the group, said the introduction of a two-hour transfer for transit passengers will make a big difference.

"Many of these recommendations cost the city very small amounts of money, yet, they're so meaningful to the people that use these programs."