Mixed reaction to city budget
Posted Jan 20, 2011 05:39:23 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The City Of Ottawa’s budget got mixed reviews after Mayor Jim Watson fulfilled his campaign promise to keep a tax increase under two point five percent.
Walter Robinson told 1310News that unlike previous years the budget wasn’t an all you can eat buffet. He said that the budget is set up so that if committees want to tinker with it, if they want to add they will also need to find something to cut.
Not everyone was positive about the budget though. Erin Kelly of the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce said she’s worried about infrastructure costs. Kelly said with an apparent reduction in the budget being put towards roads and maintenance which she said is concerning because “whatever you don’t maintain, over time costs you more”.
The budget also included a fare increase of two point five percent for OC Transpo riders and Mayor Watson has hinted more changes may be in the works for transit. The assumption is that some “milk run” routes will be cut.
Ottawa residents can have their say at public consultations starting with the standing committees on February first. You can find the full list of meeting dates here.
Council will debate and vote on the budget in early march.
