One city councillor thinks an independent program and service review will be a good tool for city staff.
Mark Bentz suggested he wants to see overall efficiencies and cost savings but doesn’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
“Course I don’t support closing beloved recreational facilities, I’m looking for an approach that does not slash and burn,” Bentz said.
The Grant Thornton review of the city’s programs and services is going before the city council Monday night. It includes cost-saving ideas like closing city-run golf courses, selling Port Arthur Stadium and the Botanical Conservatory. It also includes operational efficiencies and things the city can do to eliminate duplication of services.
Bentz goes on to say, “this was an independent review. There’s nothing to say that every single recommendation here is easy to put in place or feasible.”
The councillor would like to see his fellow members ask city staff to come back with a report of their own highlighting what they think would be doable going into the 2021 budget.
“The last thing I want to see happen is individual councillors cherry-picking items here and there to pursue. I think a holistic approach has the best chance of success,” Bentz said.