Councillors were happy they could load the 2012 budget onto iPads and overall were satisfied with the budget process that concluded last month, but in the future they’d prefer no one in the gallery be allowed to carry guns.
Sitting as the standing committee on finance, councillors spent a half-hour Monday night sharing what they thought worked and didn’t work during the 2012 budget, even though some councillors were clear they felt it was too soon for the exercise.
“I don’t expect closure on it,” Coun. Malcolm Parker said. “I haven’t had time to think about what worked and what didn’t.”
While Coun. Wes Brodhead was one of several councillors who had the budget loaded on iPads to follow along this year, of which he was effusive in praise, he had one specific concern.
“It’s interesting how some present their case. I’ll just say if the police come and make presentations like they’re going to a SWAT event and they’re wearing guns, what’s the point?” He said. “I know other municipalities that don’t allow them to come in to chambers wearing guns.”
Brodhead’s comments were in reference to former St. Albert detachment commander Warren Dosko’s tendency to appear before council wearing his bulletproof vest and sidearm during the policing budget debate.
But for the most part, councillors had nothing but praise for how administration prepared and presented the budget.
“The presentations were absolutely phenomenal in comparison to years prior,” said Coun. Roger Lemieux. “I was totally, totally impressed and I don’t know how much better we can get.”
Brodhead was particularly enthusiastic about how administration brought forward a budget council was happy with to begin with.
“Administration came forward with an original budget proposal that was easy to live with,” he said.
Among some suggestions were some coaching on how councillors could prepare their own business cases so they can be as polished as those prepared by different departments, as well as a revised town hall forum. Mayor Nolan Crouse even suggested a “speed dating” format with those who attend having time to sit down with individual councillors for specific periods of time.
Coun. Cam MacKay floated one idea he’d like to see used in the future.
“Why doesn’t a business case that comes forward have to be sponsored by at least one member of council? I know other municipalities that use it,” he asked. “Other than that, I thought the process was reasonable.”
