Chilliwack council pressed the pause button on the budget last month so they could study and possibly incorporate some feedback from the public.
City staff has since responded by requesting clearer direction from council on which, if any, of the ideas should make into the financial plan, and what the corresponding tax increases would be.
Chilliwack council was supposed to vote on the 2016 budget and financial plan on Feb. 16, after holding a public information meeting, and listening to the views of the public.
Instead, in a surprise move led by Coun. Sam Waddington and Coun. Jason Lum, they convinced the rest of council to refer the financial plan back to staff for some retooling.
Some of the ideas from the public included: additional RCMP officers, dedicated bike lanes, improved trails, as well as heritage protection, revitalization of the Hope Slough and more.
As a result, council was slated to consider and vote on the three options at the March 1 meeting, which included adopting the budget as previously presented with increases integrated into the 2017 Financial Plan.
The other two options were either to accommodate budget extras now with a larger tax increase, or accommodate budget increases within the existing 1.89 per cent proposed tax increase with a "reprioritization" of other funded items.
Coun. Lum said no matter which way they ultimately decide to go, it's been an interesting budget season.
"I've been getting lots of emails from people," he noted. "The majority are saying it's time for Chilliwack to make additional investments. I haven't received any emails asking us to cut services, however."
The biggest challenge is balancing those desires, with the fact "that things aren't getting cheaper out there," Lum said.
Investments in areas like transit or public safety, in concert with other levels of government, can save the city money "down the road."
The provincial government needs to commit with funds for mental health and homelessness.
"We need them at the table."
"They also need to commit before the city agrees to put any significant taxpayer money down on the table," he said.