Thunder Bay city council is expected to discuss $1.5 million worth of cuts to city services after staff were given carte blanche as part of a way to find savings for the budget.

Among the 28 recommendations is the elimination of bus routes to the Fort William First Nation and Neebing which will save the city an estimated 294 thousand dollars.

The closure of the Neebing arena and 31 outdoor rink sites is expected to save the city just over half a million dollars.

Other recommendations include:

Eliminate the Annual Citizens of Achievement Event – $12,000
Eliminate Sister Cities Program, cancel all existing agreements, events and activities – $25,000
Reduce contract management costs – $15,000
Insource life safety inspections for specific corporate buildings – $30,000
Eliminate Events fireworks – $12,000
Eliminate Transit service on New Year’s and Christmas Day. Both Conventional and Specialized/LIFT would not operate – $84,900
Reduce fees paid by the City from the acceptance of credit cards for payment of general account receivable balances – $30,000
Elimination of the Beck St. EMS station – $25,000
Eliminate Movie Night – $13,200
Discontinue maintenance of 13 parkettes – $25,000
Eliminate Large Waste/Debris Litter Pick Up Program -$20,000

Council is also expected to hear a deputation from the Library on its Master Facilities Plan.

Of the five plans presented, only one is being fully backed, which recommends to have one large central Library, with smaller neighbourhood branches scattered around the city.

Two of those branches, Waverly and Brodie would be condensed to one floor at each facility and the lower floors would be rented out.

As well a contract valued at just under a million dollars is expected to be awarded to PNI Contracting for multi use trails and parks.

Work would include a new parking lot on Balsam street to access Shuniah Mines, granular trail and playground base at Trowbridge Falls, trails and lighting renewal at Dick Waddington Park, and a provisional item of the construction of a new parking lot at Chapples Drive.