All week the staff at the ward 2 blog will be posting our top ten blog entries as determined by our editors.
Although we tried to focus on Ward 2 specific topics, some of the issues have a community wide interest.
#5. The 2010 budget. Faced with declining revenues of approximately $8M as a result of the most significant recession in over 70 years, Councillors were dealing with the prospect of a 9.2% tax increase, just to maintain current levels of service.City staff, working with our community partners, put options on the table to allow council to consider options that have not been previously explored.
Councillors were overwhelmed with comments from the community. Despite much apprehension, debate was rspectful and considerate.
In the end, Council approved a tax rate increase of 3.66%, the lowest rate increase in memory.
It is anticipated that the 2011 budget discussion will closely follow this patern.