Grants to volunteer organizations staying put in 2016

Events like Canada Day and ParkFest will continue to get city support.

The city is budgeting $105,000 for this year to go towards volunteer organizations and in-kind donations.

Mayor Steve Black notes community events would be “decimated” without this funding, so it’s good to keep around.

Plus, council passes each donation individually and if there’s money leftover, the city can use that money elsewhere.

There was some push back on the issue during Tuesday night’s budget meeting.  Councillor Andrew Marks says money for events they know are going to happen (like Canada Day) should be added to another fund, depending on what the event is.

He adds the city could also take a phase-in approach, by cutting the $105,000 budget line in half in 2016 and write it entirely off the books in 2017.

Marks and Councillor Rick Dubeau voted against this plea, but everyone else was in favour so the grants will stay around for at least another year.