By David Wiwchar

Boyko blasts City spending

Nov 15, 2024 | 6:54 AM

The funding fight between city and rural leaders continued at yesterday’s regional district board meeting.

Beaufort director Fred Boyko said he’s been following City of Port Alberni budget discussions and said his constituents are opposed to the proposed increased funding for recreation services.

“When the public sees 30 to 40% raises and taxpayer-funded cell phones, they question the judgement and the need for increase funding,” he said. “The city has spending problem that the Beaufort people are not interested in helping subsidize. We live without services and that’s how we want to live.”

Boyko alleged city staff levels have increased to the point where new offices were needed in the former federal building, while the city’s population has not increased.

Mayor Sharie Minions who also serves as an ACRD Director along with city councillor Deb Haggard shot back at Boyko saying the city is looking to share costs evenly and has launched a study on rural use of city services before beginning a deeper discussion.

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