'09 shortfall debated at public budget meeting

Photo: Councilor Lori Ackerman says the Fort St. John transit system needs to be reviewed – Christine Rumleskie/Energeticcity.ca

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Fort St. John resident Larry Wade wasn’t pleased with City Council at the Public Budget Meeting.

Around 50 people attended the information session at the Lido Theatre on Wednesday night. Discussions circulated heavily on eliminating the anticipated 2009 shortfall.

Some ideas included cutting back funding to the Communities in Bloom and the Winter Lights program, or cutting down on the public transit service.

When Theresa Mucci-Rodgers asked what priorities councilors had with the budget, most agreed with cutting back on funding certain programs.

Mr. Wade says it seems the councilors were just repeating and not listening to what the public had to say.

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Mayor Bruce Lantz says many of the suggestions have been heard before.

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City Council has until May 15th to ratify the budget.

City Manager Dianne Hunter encourages everyone to make suggestions before it’s too late.

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The next meeting will be to finalize the Operating and Utility Budget on Monday, March 16th.