Public Works Borrowing

Last week, Council approved the borrowing of $10.5 million from the Municipal Finance Authority to fund Phase 1 of the Public Works Yard replacement project. This will be used for site preparation excavation, design development, and some equipment procurement. In total, Council has authorized total borrowing of up to $76.7 million for the new operational buildings. My question to staff clarified that the City still has lots of borrowing room remaining should we need it for other projects. Only Councillor Brown opposed the borrowing. My strong feeling is that this project is badly needed to maintain our City's core responsibility of providing efficient public works to our citizens: services such as garbage collection, water supply, park maintenance, etc. It is a "must have", especially as our City is experiencing such rapid growth. I look forward to seeing the project get underway as quickly as possible.