City of Thunder Bay eyes switch to multi-year capital budgets

More changes could be coming to the City of Thunder Bay's budget process.

The city is considering moving to two-year capital budgets, Thunder Bay Commissioner of Corporate Services and City Treasurer Keri Greaves said.

"We need to get to work really quick, because we have to work on our policies and procedures, and lay out how that's going to work," he said. "How is council going to be in a position to approve a two-year capital budget?"

"Because there's going to be some concern that changing dynamics in the municipal world."

At-large Coun. Mark Bentz said the switch would carry some advantages.

"We always have the ability to make changes if needed," he said. "It's not easy. We have to reconsider decisions."

"But capital should be fairly well-known," Bentz said. "And I don't think two years is a stretch, especially when we're trying to wrestle down the infrastructure deficit."

"These things that need strategic thought, and the longer you look out and the longer that you plan, I think is beneficial."

Current River Coun. Andrew Foulds said he's interested in moving to a multi-year capital budget, as well.

"I think there is a potential for savings there in terms of getting better pricing," Foulds said. "I'm interested in seeing how admin recommends that happens, and I'm certainly open to any new idea that potentially could deliver taxpayers dollars more effectively and efficiently."

Bentz said there is a possibility the move to a two-year capital budget this year.

And while Greaves noted some other municipalities have moved to both multi-year capital and operating budgets, there was some hesitation regarding the latter from Bentz and Foulds.

"I would say that I'm open to exploring anything, but I don't know if operating presents certain challenges due to the changing nature of operations, just because we're a child of the province, if you will," Bentz said. "We have to carry out a lot of stuff that is handed down to us, or programming."

"It's hard to predict that, whereas capital might be a bit easier."

Foulds said he brought a multi-year operating budget up with administration.

"The response that I received at that time is that the operating side is a little bit more difficult to do in a multi-year way," he said. "I'm not sure, as a councillor, I'm quite as comfortable with a multi-year operational budget."

"I do think that, for members of council, scrutinizing the city budget is sort of the second-most-important thing that we do, after composing and implementing our strategic plan," Foulds said. "So I feel less comfortable about the operating side, because I think on a yearly basis you want to scrutinize that operating budget."