Image Credit: File photo
January 09, 2018 - 5:03 PM
KAMLOOPS - How much are you willing to pay for better snow removal?
Councillor Donovan Cavers wants Kamloops to take a very close look at what the city gets for its snow removal and opens the question of increasing the budget.
Cavers told his fellow councillors at a regular meeting today, Jan. 9, he will ask for their support next week to compare budgets and service levels to cities like Prince George and Kelowna. Prince George, with a population of 75,000, budgeted $7 million in the past year for snow removal, whereas Kamloops only budgeted $1.6 million.
Cavers said Kamloops has a more varied topography than Prince George or Kelowna, which also had a budget of $1.6 million for snow removal last year. He said approximately 40 per cent of Kamloops residents live in steep terrain.
Cavers wants to look into whether snow plow windrow gates, should be added on to existing trucks, as well if there is a need to contract out some of the budget for additional help.
In the report, Cavers wants an assessment of the current capacity of city equipment and staffing. As well, an assessment on how much equipment and staff would be needed to achieve various times of service on roads and pedestrian passageways.
According to Michael Kellet, spokesperson for the City of Prince George, it cost $143.46 per taxpayer to fund their snow removal budget. Kamloops has not yet provided a similar figure.
According to Environment Canada, Prince George has approximately 45 days of snowfall per year and accumulates an average of 142 cm of snow. Kamloops has roughly 27 days of snowfall per year, accumulating approximately 63 cm of snow.
At the next council meeting on Jan. 16, Councillors will vote on whether the report will be conducted.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Kelly Mckay or call 250-819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2018