Last week in a media release from the City of North Bay, it was announced that the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) selected the City as the 2018 winner from more than ninety-six applications, for municipalities from 50,000 to 250,000 population. The Special Events Award for Excellence was awarded for the initiative between the City’s Economic Development … Read More »

As we move into February and hopefully some more moderate weather, we should see things heat up in Council Chambers, as budget deliberations continue.  Council and staff will be working late hours to bring forward a budget that will have to address many of the outstanding projects that are on the radar.  Those will include Cassellholme, West Ferris Arena, and Kings Landing to mention a few of the big -ticket items.  These projects are just a few of many of the Capital infrastructure projects that are required to replace and upgrade our City.  The challenge no doubt will be to balance each one of these and bring forth a reasonable budget at the end of the process.

This year’s budget starting point at almost eight percent, as identified last month by the Budget Chief, has sparked substantial discussion at Council and in the coffee shops as to what will be an acceptable number for this year’s increase.  Service delivery and enhancements to operating budgets will be debated … Read More »

The City of North Bay Budget process is underway with the water and sewer side of things almost completed during the last meeting.  There was much discussion amongst the Councillor’s as to the proper use of reserves and budget surpluses.  By the end of the meeting, a consensus was achieved however, it was not unanimous.  Differing opinions and discussion regarding these budgetary concerns is healthy and required to make proper decisions, as the budget process moves forward.  There is no doubt that these topics of discussion will not end with the wrap of the water and sewer budgets.

Late last week, Deputy Mayor Tanya Vrebosch announced the starting point for this year’s operating budget at just under eight percent, prior to any adjustments or cuts.  This will be where the subject of the reserves and surpluses will begin again.  It is not easy to put forth a budget at this starting point and will prove to be even more difficult to get it passed through Council over t … Read More »

Congratulations to Mayor Peter McIsaac, previous Councils, staff and board members from the Family Health team and the residents of our neighbour to the south, that being the Municipality of Powassan.  Together with local health professionals and private developer Santo Tomaselli, the Municipality hosted the grand opening on Friday, of their new 12,000 square feet health care facility on Main Street in Powassan.  Great example of how public and private partnerships together with strategic investment, can attract and maintain services for the betterment o … Read More »

With the return to what we might call “normal” winter weather last week, it has been good news for many in our district that have been eagerly awaiting the cooler weather and snow.  Snowmobilers, ice fishing enthusiasts and skiers have been awaiting the return to the winter conditions and our region has been luckier than some other communities, with ample snow and good ice conditions (safety first, make sure you check). Many of our local tourism operators are reporting good conditions and with the lack of snow in southern Ontario, we are hopeful that those good conditions will translate … Read More »