I hope this newsletter finds you well and you are having a wonderful summer with family and friends. There are always so many events and festivals happening in Saskatoon that make the season even more exciting and fun. I have seen many of you as I have been out and about at so many events, and it has been great to catch up and have good conversations.
Your city council continued to meet throughout July and August. The city does not shut down in the summer! Among many other issues, we have had extra budget meetings. City Council’s Governance & Priorities Committee (GPC) will continue its work to reduce the projected funding gap within the 2024/2025 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget.
I have been very vocal not just now but for years that I am very worried about spending. In fact, I have voted against the last 4 budgets and the corresponding mill rate increases. I have and will continue to make it very clear that we need to focus on core services…roads, sidewalks, transit, police, fire, parks, water and wastewater and waste reduction. This is also what I am hearing from folks. You want a good quality of life and council needs to listen to that and stick to the basics to get things back on track.
I am very much in favour of cancelling, reducing or pausing capital projects. Again, we need to concentrate on the core services to give the citizens of Ward 9 and the city a good quality of life that all can enjoy and experience.
My council colleagues and I agree on many things, but we do not agree on every issue. I never hesitate to stand up for you in Ward 9. While I might not win every vote, I will ALWAYS stand up against policies that I don’t think make sense and always take into consideration the valuable feedback from ward 9 residents.
One of my favorite activities as City Councillor is connecting with you. I am always available. I have regular Coffee with Your Councillor every month (sometimes twice a month). I also have many other community engagements in the ward. If you have an event you would like me attend, please contact me and I would love to join you. I am active with all the community associations in Ward 9. I sure appreciate all the work the volunteers do in our community and I truly value working with them.
I also want to extend a personal invitation to join me for my Ward 9 Town Hall on September 9th, 2023 at Market Mall in The Spot (by the food court). Registration and networking at 1:00pm and Town Hall 1:30-3:00pm. I have invited Mayor Charlie Clark to join me as well. Please join us!
Thank you so much for the opportunity to represent you. It truly is a privilege to serve the residents of Ward 9. As your City Councillor I serve on many civic boards, committees and commissions including: Transportation, Finance, Governance and Priorities, Civic Naming, Personnel Sub Committee, District Planning Commission, Saskatoon Accessibility Committee, Remai Modern, SREDA (Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority), Discover Saskatoon, and SUMA (Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association). I am City Council’s lead for Transportation.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, concerns or issues. Please follow my social media (Facebook and Twitter) and my website bevdubois.com. As always I look forward to hearing from you.