One of the biggest ways Timmins can save money is in winter maintenance of our roads. A review of all of the city’s services found there is a potential savings of $1-million a year. The report says that means reducing winter road maintenance to minimum standards.
Mayor Steve Black says that doesn’t necessarily mean cutting services. He says the city should be looking at doing those services in-house, instead of contracting out, if that is the more efficient route. Black says that’s only if the city can provide that service cheaper than the current rates, while still meeting the provincial standards.
Council had a long discussion about a specific winter maintenance contract in their meeting this week. That is because the rate almost doubled from last year, and there was only bid to do the work. Black says if that is going to be the trend with all of the contracts, the city is going to have to look at ways to make the service more affordable.