Thunder Bay city council is now undertaking the grueling task to make cuts to the 2023 budget to allow for the levy increase to be palatable.

Prior to any votes, McIntryre Ward Councillor Albert Aiello praised the work done on previous budgets but noted what was done before isn’t sustainable.

“We need to say no to this budget, we need to whittle it down, and we need to move forward. Tough calls, its not gonna be easy. By no means, but if change is ever going to occur, its gotta occur now.”

Aiello also spoke to those previous budgets on staffing increases, prior to Tuesday evening’s meeting the budget is set for 50.9 full time equivalent positions. He says over the last four years the city hired several people.

“I don’t know how many, but again its always promised ‘well they’ll bring us savings down the road’. I’m not seeing any of these savings.”

Other members of council asked if the city could consider selling some of its lands, which they believed would cut down on costs associated with upkeep. However City Manager Norm Gale quickly shut that down.

“We need to find permanent savings that happen year, over year, over year. Selling property will bring in revenue but its one-time.  It will not affect the annual operating or capital budgets.”

Gale also explained when a sale of land by the city is made, the revenue is normally sent to reserve funds.

One of the first votes held was to consider bringing the levy increase from 5.58% down to an even 5%, with an amendment to push it further to 4%.

That vote saw votes, confusion, points of order, and re votes.

The vote eventually passed, however some confusion remained.

For several members this is the first budget they have ever undertaken, which veteran At-Large Councillor and meeting Chair Mark Bentz recognized and turned into a teaching moment.

“The budget is always open,” he explained. “You can come back in next week and say I’d like 3.85 percent and we vote on it then. It is always an open document until we vote at the end of the process in a couple of weeks.”

Council will have three more budget review meetings over the next 13 days. Before holding a post budget deputation meeting on February 2nd, and followed up by a final vote on February 6th.