Thunder Bay city council warned money is tight

City councillors in Thunder Bay had concerns at Monday night's meeting about some of the tactics being suggested for balancing the city's budget.

City administrators told council they need to find another $145,000 to achieve the goal of shaving $1.5 million from the annual budget. Part of their solution was reducing money to outside boards, like the parking authority and district social services board.

But Coun. Iain Angus didn't like that idea and said it's unfair to ask for cuts, after budgets are already approved.

"This is getting a little clumsy," he said. "For next time around, we need to rethink how we do this kind of thing as it relates to those fully independent boards and commissions."

Thunder Bay's city manager says the time will soon come when the city cannot find any more savings without making service cuts.

Tim Commisso said departments are getting stretched thin and council may have to re-evaluate how to complete its strategic plans, without increasing taxes.

"There is a reckoning point where you're going to have to," he said. "My view is that that will come with the new council."

In the meantime councillors opted to ask agencies to look for savings, instead of dictating them. Commisso said the money identified as savings is being re-allocated to improve infrastructure in the city.