It’s not the time to nickel and dime the city, despite what recent efficiency report says
Ah yes, budget season at city hall. The forecast for 2021 is certainly not all sunshine and rainbows. At least, that is what council would have us believe.
There is no denying the 2021 budget will be difficult in many ways as the impacts of COVID-19 are felt across the board. Revenues from things like user fees, transit and the casino are all down. Then there has been the added cost of managing the pandemic.
The budget for 2021does not have to be as difficult as it is being made out to be though. Peterborough is in a truly fortunate position. We have weathered this storm well. Our number of COVID-19 cases has been relatively low. The city has received more than $8 million from the provincial government as COVID-19 relief. Further than that we have the proceeds of the PDI sale coming in. I do not know of many other cities who have more than $50 million to rely on.
On Monday night councillors had received a report from KPMG meant to examine the efficiency of the City of Peterborough and our services. Peterborough was compared to eight other cities of a similar size including Kingston, Guelph, Barrie and the City of Kawartha Lakes. KPMG came up with 15 opportunities for council and staff to consider moving forward when it comes to cost savings and revenue generation.
Of the 15 opportunities presented to council the service level reductions are what really stood out for me. These include the Centennial Fountain, discretionary social assistance benefits, parades, low-income support programs and community grants. Increasing city transit fares is another opportunity that creates cause for concern.
One thing you may notice is a number of these elements affect those who are already living at or below the poverty line. If you are a senior on fixed income, are on social assistance, a student or are earning minimum wage you may not be able to afford a vehicle. That is why affordable public transit is so important.
Then there is further consideration as to cutting low-income support programs and discretionary benefits on top of a transit fare hike. Many of these supports and services are offered as a means of assisting people in finding meaningful employment and getting to and from their workplace.
The problem is the report lacked critical context. As Coun. Keith Riel rightfully pointed out, this report does not include the demographics of our aging population or our rate of employment of which Peterborough is often at the top of the list for unemployment in Canada. It is a bare bones assessment based on numbers that takes the easiest route rather than what is best for our city.
There is also the fountain and parades. To some people these may seem pointless. Why spend over $100,000 a year on something like a fountain? I would ask, what makes a city a city? What culture do we have? Would KPMG recommend that Kingston turn off its Confederation Park Fountain? How about Barrie’s Centennial Park Fountain? Or perhaps the fountain at St. George’s Square in Guelph?
In the last 20 years we have seen a decline in what attractions and events Peterborough has to offer. Our exhibition has been scaled back with the loss of motorized events. Peterborough Musicfest, the former Festival of Lights, no longer has a boating light show and fireworks. The Festival of Trees is gone. Snofest has become a shell of what it once was.
With COVID-19 wreaking havoc on our economy, now is the time to invest in the culture of Peterborough. To entice young families to move here. To support our growth with adequate attractions and events. We have the opportunity to do so when many other cities do not. Now is certainly not the time to look at cutting nickels and dimes out of the budget.