Performing arts studies top list for public budget session

NEWS — The cost of studies for a new performing arts theatre will top the agenda at Tuesday night’s public input session on City council’s new budget.

Staff has asked for permission to spend $260,000 to develop a schematic design for a new performing arts centre and to hire a cultural design consultant. Some members of council have expressed concern about the cost.

Also on the list of extras for the coming year is money for an additional RCMP officer to deal with domestic violence cases. A City report says the number of domestic violence files has increased by 36 per cent in the last four years.

Additional horticulture staff is being considered to maintain new sites including Lorne Street, Highland Drive, Dallas and Aberdeen roundabouts, Singh Street, the Columbia Street entrance, Hillside Drive extension and Tranquille Road.

A full-time business analyst is also on staff’s wish list to deal with a backlog of information-technology project requests.

After some explanations at the start of the meeting, those and other items will be up for discussion in informal round tables with various members of staff and council members. The session starts at 7 p.m. in the Interior Savings Centre and is expected to wrap up by 10.