During a recent government meeting, significant budget reductions across various departments were discussed, highlighting the city's efforts to manage financial constraints. The parks and recreation sector is set to see a total reduction of approximately $900,000, which includes the elimination of the senior hike program and camp field trips. To mitigate these cuts, an increase in recreation fees is proposed to lessen the reliance on the general fund.

In the streets department, general fund support for curb ramp retrofits will be reduced by $2.3 million in 2025 and $2.5 million in 2026. Additionally, funding for pavement management will decrease by $2.1 million starting in 2026, resulting in an overall reduction of $4.6 million for street services.

The fire department will also face cuts, with a total reduction of around $2 million over the biennium. This includes returning three captain positions to line staffing and reducing administrative support in logistics and training divisions.

Other departments supported by the general fund will experience various reductions, including a $2 million cut in janitorial and security services, a $500,000 reduction in fleet services, and a $400,000 decrease in the office of equity and inclusion. The finance department will also see cuts across multiple expense lines.

The meeting concluded with a visual representation of the reductions and new revenues generated by departments, emphasizing that the most significant cuts are in the streets and parks sectors. Councillor Hansen raised a question regarding the impact of these reductions on specific positions within the fire department, indicating ongoing concerns about staffing levels and service delivery.