Common Council holding off on giving its stamp of approval to the controversial proposed field rental rates for this year, some of which would increase as much as 200-percent.
The changes to the rates would bring about a $93,000 increase in revenues from field rentals compared to last year and that was part of the approved budget for this year.
Councillors discussing the issue around the horseshoe with Gerry Lowe saying he wants to see a 10-percent increase over five years, “then these teams can budget for it and do whatever they want to do and that way there to me it’d be fair,” he says.
Councillor David Merrithew says he would consider tempering the rate increases for young people. Councillor Shirley McAlary says she wants to see more input from the community.
Councillor John McKenzie says we probably have excess fields along with the highest rate of poverty in the country and a high rate of unemployment, “if we want to promote recreation I think we have to do it in line with the make-up of our society.”
Council voting to refer the issue back to the city manager.
