Split decision

Summerside council still torn regarding fate of unexpected funding

There was a bit of déjà vu at a recent committee of council meeting in Summerside.

The committee passed a motion recommending that a $280,000 snow-clearing rebate received from the province be spent on several water and sewer improvement projects. The city has been approved for federal funding on these projects, and the idea was that the municipality would not have to borrow as much money to make up its share of the cost.

This is the second time the committee has made this same recommendation to council.

The first time, the idea was struck down by a subsequent full council meeting in a rare 4 to 4 vote that required Mayor Bill Martin to break the tie.

Some councillors argued that the city should borrow the full amount for its share of the water and sewer projects and spend the $280,000 on some items that were left on the budget cutting room floor.

“We have found money, we could do these projects. We wouldn’t be foregoing any money we wouldn’t be spending anyway – we just get to enjoy them a little sooner,” said Coun. Brent Gallant, in support of spending the money on other projects.

Coun. Gordie Whitlock has been staunchly against spending the money on other projects.

“When I look at these types of opportunities, I always try to think what I would do if it was my own money,” he said.

“I use the analogy that if my car was broken down and I had to fix my car, and I was planning on borrowing money to do that, but I get a rebate cheque from my income tax for $3,000. Would I use that money to buy a pool, or would I use it to fix my car? I’m pretty sure I’d use it for car repairs.”

The Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce recently weighed in on this issue, recommending a third option: put some or all of the money towards paying down the city’s debt.

“We were dismayed to hear that some of the discussion touched on spending the money and borrowing even more,” said chamber president Dan Kutcher.

“We are all carrying this debt.“Every resident and business in Summerside is not only paying for the city to provide current services but the cost of debt from past spending. We must live within our means.”

Council avoided another 4-4 vote split because the mayor was unable to attend the meeting, which left Deputy Mayor Norma McColeman as chairwoman — which meant she didn’t get a vote.

The motion ended up passing 4-3.

“I use the analogy that if my car was broken down and I had to fix my car, and I was planning on borrowing money to do that, but I get a rebate cheque from my income tax for $3,000. Would I use that money to buy a pool, or would I use it to fix my car? I’m pretty sure I’d use it for car repairs.” Coun. Gordie Whitlock