The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Does the City of Flin Flon need to cut spending, and if so, where can cuts be made? Trevor Miller The City's spending levels don't seem to be out of line with any other city of our size, I couldn't say what I'd want cut significantly. Where I do think we need to start looking a little harder is the number of properties in town paying as little as $250/year in taxes. If you paid just $20.83/month for garbage removal, that money is already spent, nevermind road maintenance, policing, or anything else the city provides. This is far below what the city needs in order to operate properly, and far less than the value of services we all receive. Ken Mansell Of course the City of Flin Flon needs to cut spending and cuts must be made. The most underused and overpriced services must go. This is the local bus service. It served us well, but we are no longer able to run Flin Flon like it was a city. It is likely the smallest urban area in Canada with a local bus transit. Times change and we must give up the frills we can most do without. The 2012 city budget states that bus service was to cost a projected $345,956 and for 2013 it is $352,880. I often note that in mid-morning there are usually between zero and three passengers aboard. There may be more than that earlier and later, but not nearly enough to justify the expense. City council has been almost silent on this matter, hopefully it is on their list of budget cut considerations. Denny Hyndman We don't seem to access a lot of funding here, so maybe the shift should come to thinking how can we make money instead of cuts. It's easy to look back and point fingers at explosive water treatment costs, the digging, filling, re-digging and repaving same-spot roadworks, or NOT sending emergency services to outlying areas as being possible ways of saving. We are a small community with a lot of talent, experience and know-how. The best way to save money is to not spend it and encourage our leadership to fight hard for additional funds. Looking at property taxes, though unpopular, is probably needed, too.
