Official Says “There’s Nothing Left To Cut”

Dryden City Manager Art Wellington says staff have done everything possible to keep the tax rate down and urges council to approve the budget.
Wellington says staff can no longer look at “nickle and diming”
Sid Wintle is already vowing to vote against it, stressing he asked for a maximum 3% tax increase and staff hasn’t delivered.
Wellington says the well is dry and they can’t make any more cuts without eliminating services.
Wellington says 41.5 full or part time positions have been eliminated in addition to the 22-lost DMTS positions.
That has saved the city roughly $1.2-million dollars.
He adds senior positions haven’t been filled and reductions have been made across the board.
Wellington says the cuts are already being felt across the city, with slower response times and skeleton staff in some departments.
He adds the City isn’t maintaining its infrastructure and notes we have already lost significant revenue from the layoffs.
He cautions further cuts will jeopardize public and staff safety.
Wintle still believes there’s cost savings available.
He’s asking the City to speak with Municipal Affairs and renegotiate the Dryden Mobility debenture.
Wintle is also asking for staff to negotiate with Domtar about paying back the assessment over an extended period of time.