[URBAN NOTE] "Beach grooming could face city budget axe"

[rfmcdonald]

The Toronto Star's Betsy Powell reports on one of the many, many functions of Toronto's civic government which might get cut this fiscal year.

During warmer months, Marawan El-Asfahani and his children love swimming in Lake Ontario and hanging out at Kew-Balmy Beach near the family’s east-end home.

“We have a phenomenal set of beaches in the city, and not only that, they’re Blue Flag certified too,” he says of the international eco-award given to beaches meeting stringent water quality, environmental and safety standards.

But the Toronto branding specialist also says it’s not uncommon to stumble across debris in the coarse sand. It’s one of the reasons he would like the city to start grooming all swimming beaches daily, treating them as a valued public asset and “core destination” for residents and tourists alike.

[. . .]

Next week, Toronto’s 2016 budget season kicks into gear when councillors begin debating and prioritizing the coming year’s spending and revenue plans and priorities.

The city is facing severe fiscal challenges. Staff has presented an operating budget that comes up $57.4 million short, along with another $67 million in previously identified priorities including repairs to social housing and new spending for a council-endorsed poverty reduction plan.

For months, budget committee chair Gary Crawford has been meeting with representatives of 35 agencies, departments and divisions “to talk about their priorities.” He has also been setting the stage publicly for the annual financial showdown over the $11 billion budget.