Fresh faces, wonky tradition as new council makes its debut
First meeting sees focus on governance measures, budget process debates
Wednesday’s city council meeting, the first of the 2018-2022 term, was like candy for municipal administration wonks.
Council voted on several governance measures that will set the framework for policy-making over the next four years. It’s a tradition for the start of every council term.
One of the longest debates focused on the annual budget process, which drew concern from some councillors last term.
In Mayor Jim Watson’s city hall, the annual budget has been created by him and city management and any changes proposed by councillors that would increase spending would require equal offsetting savings.
Coun. Tobi Nussbaum couldn’t convince the majority of council to change the budget process so that unfunded pressures identified by committees are brought to council for consideration. Nussbaum’s proposal also came with an idea to have staff suggest ways to find money for an unfunded initiative.
City manager Steve Kanellakos warned council that under Nussbaum’s proposal, staff would bring forward highly controversial service cuts as a way to fund budget pressures.
“I don’t know how that would be helpful because that would pit councillor against councillor and the priorities in your wards, let alone priorities citywide,” Kanellakos said.
Watson opposed Nussbaum’s motion.
Nussbaum’s motion failed with a 14-10 vote.
Council did, however, vote to bring committee chairs into the budget-drafting process with the mayor and city management.
And in another new budget twist adopted by council, councillors will be able to propose additions in a committee’s budget and not have to find offsetting savings in the same budget. Councillors can now scour other committee budgets for potential offsets.
The 2019 budget will be considered by council throughout the winter.
Other governance decisions Wednesday included adding a deputy mayor role, bringing the roster of deputies up to three.
Council also voted to publish committee reports earlier so residents have time to read them. Instead of seven days in advance, the reports will be made available seven business days in advance.
With the governance framework done, a group of councillors will make recommendations on the membership of council committees and boards at a meeting next Wednesday.