The City of Saint John is beginning the budget process for 2026.
As part of that process, the city’s finance committee asked councillors to provide some ideas before the committee makes a budget recommendation in November.
Going around the council table, there were a few common themes.
Recreation and roadwork came up more than a few times as councillors created a wish list of sorts.
Specific suggestions included a recreation rehabilitation fund, improved snowplowing of streets and sidewalks, and reserve funds.
Coun. Gary Sullivan, who also chairs the finance committee, said roadwork is an important piece of the budget.
“Some modern roadwork makes us look like a modern city,” Sullivan said, highlighting the new roundabout at the intersection of Sandy Point Road and Foster Thurston Drive, as well as the alignment of Ashburn Lake Road and Retail Drive.
Coun. Joanna Killen suggested setting up a reserve fund related to Simms Corner.
“We need to start saving for whatever that is,” Killen said.
Coun. Mariah Darling said they’d like to see funding to create a comprehensive communications strategy for the city.
Coun. Greg Stewart also said he’d like to see some funding for communications. He said sometimes the city’s message doesn’t get to the public as quickly or efficiently as it could.
Public safety was another repeated suggestion.
Stewart brought up the idea of promoting neighbourhood watch groups, and Sullivan raised the idea of traffic cameras.
Mayor Donna Reardon said she’d like to be able to lower the municipal tax rate, adding her dream would be a reduction of half a cent.
Sullivan said he hoped his fellow councillors would continue to make suggestions going forward.
“The ideas that come out around this table are creative,” he said. “A lot of these ideas are small and doable.”
