City Hall spending money like mad

The city’s debt sits around $355 million (SP, Oct. 24).

But our spend-crazy city council has nevertheless approved the idea of spending $4.6 million for “permanent, protected bike lanes downtown” — part of a $10.28-million “cycling network” expansion over the next 11 years. (Transport panel approves protected bike lanes plan, SP, March 5).

And that $10.28 million is part of a $27.7 million estimate for a “larger active transportation plan,” also over 11 years.

What kind of madness is this? Few cyclists will use this network, especially in this wintry climate.

Every other day seems to bring new price shockers.

City councillors are looking at spending up to $450,000 for new water fountains at civic facilities. The Remai Modern is slated to get $456,000 more from city hall in 2019, despite claims that 453,176 people visited the gallery in its first year, thereby supposedly surpassing its revenue goals. Fifty-five new civic employees were recently hired.City council is contemplating the idea of adjoining a cross-river pedestrian bridge to a sewer conduit with a cost of “$20 million to $25 million.” (SP, Feb. 16).A number of councillors also seem ever more open to the idea of a new arena/convention centre that would come with a price tag of at least $330 million.

Taxpayers can only watch, jaw-dropped, as these officials spend above our means and sink us ever more deeply in debt.

It’s time for public referendums to be held on issues involving substantial spending. Wayne Eyre, Saskatoon