Sarnia's 2022 draft capital budget has been reduced by $6.2 million since it was first presented in September.
Treasurer Holly Reynolds told city councillors Monday that staff have been busy trimming the document.
"Staff are [now] recommending capital projects totaling $48.8 million, and in addition to these capital project requests, there are also requests for spending directly from capital reserves," said Reynolds. "For 2022, these requests total $3 million, so total capital requiring funding is $51.9 million, and is being funded by contributions from the operating budget to the capital reserves."
Reynolds said a number of capital projects were eliminated or deferred.
"Projects that were removed include the website redesign, the Canatara Park lifeguard station and washrooms were moved to the list of projects requiring further consideration and the former Michigan Avenue landfill remediation project was recently approved by council for 2021, due to some urgency."
Reynolds said road rehabilitation is budgeted at $1.1 million, which is lower than normal, to allow for the construction of two main intersections.
"Plank Road phase two was split into two phases and the resulting phase three was deferred one year, Germain Park projects were all deferred one year, except for the Germain Park master plan and the demolition of Jackson Pool which remain in 2022."
The city is also planning to hold off on board and glass replacement on rink one at Progressive Auto Sales Arena.
Funding is still included for a new roof at PASA, upgrades at Tecumseh Park and the Cox Youth Centre, bus replacements and the relocation of the Murphy Road transit terminal.
The draft also still includes money to build the new Colborne Road fire station, replace gear and install a new radio system for the fire department.
More details on the changes can be found here.
Budget deliberations will be held December 7.
