Owen Sound’s two-day service analysis continues today and the citys mayor says its been a positive exercise so far.
Staff and council spend two days every fall looking at city services — specifically what’s working and what could be improved or enhanced.
It’s a prelude to budget discussions and Mayor Ruth Lovell Stanners likes what she heard during the first day of talks yesterday.
She says those responsible for various city departments are being encouraged to come up with innovative suggestions as opposed to simply being told to find cost savings.
However, the bottom line is still of the utmost importance.
Lovell Stanners says snow removal — which always seems to be over budget — is an example of an area where staff must look for ways to save money.
The Celebrate Owen Sound tourism initiative, which was new in 2009 and was funded by a provincial grant, was also discussed.
Lovell Stanners says it was a big hit in the community and was successful in attracting visitors and she hopes the program will return next year.
City environmental superintendent Chris Hughes talked about the energy audit conducted at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre and how savings will be made there.
He also told council and staff of opportunities to save energy and money in other city buildings.
Community development manager Steve Furness wants to come up with a package that would encourage new investment downtown and along the waterfront.
He says there’s an opportunity for growth in second-storey development in the downtown, areas of space above existing businesses.
Other topics discussed on Thursday included fleet management, looking at the citys vehicles, and heritage preservation, specifically how to further encourage property owners to protect and enhance their properties.
This could involve an expansion of Owen Sound’s faade and structural improvement grant program — which is currently limited to downtown properties.
Service analysis continues today at the Tom Thomson Memorial Art Gallery.