City council wraps up budget deliberation meetings

He said staff has tried to deal with the issue but “it’s out of hand.”

Taylor said the library board just wants the library to be a “safe, welcoming space.”

Councillors Bill Ironstand and Kent Lindgren expressed their concerns about the issue, saying complex social conditions, such as poverty and addiction, are the real problem.

“It’s hard for them [people] to get the support they need,” Ironstand said.

Ironstand and Lindgren said the province needs to step up to be involved in this type of matter to help people who are at risk.

Lindgren further said the library is unique in that it is truly “one of the few public places” left that anyone can visit.

“It’s a bigger issue than a budget request,” he said. “It shouldn’t be part of the budget.”

Mayor David Gillan said another related issue in this situation is people needing access to downtown washrooms.

He recommended the library funding request come back to council for further discussion.

To help the library board’s issue, Gillan suggested looking at transferring some funding from community events in the budget to use for the commissionaire position, as recommended by city manager Randy Patrick.

When looking at the 2023 proposed budget numbers overall, Ironstand said it’s been a tough year with inflation rates going “through the roof,” bringing up the price of everything from food to fuel impacting North Battleford citizens. He challenged city administration to do what they can to shave off any unnecessary expenses from the budget, to make it easier for taxpayers.

“I’m trying to save every penny we can,” Ironstand said.

City finance director Brent Nadon said rising inflation also affects the City of North Battleford’s bottom line as well.

He said another big cost to the City is staff wages impacting the budget.

Council also discussed a proposal from administration in the budget for a pop-up outdoor hockey rink at a cost of $22,000.

City manager Randy Patrick said if it goes ahead it would be in use for next winter.

The City will look to see if any grants are available for the project.

Council will further discuss administration’s proposed budget for 2023 at its Dec. 12 regular meeting.

It is expected council will vote on the budget at that time.

“We’re still working through the budget. We’re giving them [administration] more direction on some adjustments,” Gillan said. “Then, on December 12th we will finalize it. But we are seeing some adjustments.”

Following the meeting, Gillan said that Thursday’s deliberation session was very fruitful.

“We talked about a lot of issues,” he said. “We are looking at some revenue opportunities, and some expense reduction opportunities. I’m optimistic that on the 12th we will have found some improvement from the original ask from administration.”

Nadon said council gave administration some clarification on what areas they thought administration needed to look at more, for either proposed revenue increases or cost reductions.

At the next meeting, these items will be voted on by council.

“That’s the meeting where it becomes council’s budget,” city manager Randy Patrick said.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

by Angela Brown

City council wraps up budget deliberation meetings

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