Residential streets will not be plowed of snow this winter.
During budget deliberations on Wednesday, council defeated a motion for residential snow clearing.
In a close vote, five councillors voted in favor of the motion while six, including the mayor, were opposed.
The level of service will remain the same from 2012 to 2013, with no residential streets being graded unless the ruts are 6 inches or deeper.
According to the infrastructure services and public works departments, it would cost $600,000 to plow each street one time annually.
Councillor Ann Iwanchuk placed the enquiry into a snow removal program last year. She says by not approving this motion now, the potential program falls another year behind.
“Starting somewhere and building on that in future years is where I would have liked to see it,” said Iwanchuk.
She added she has heard from residents since Wednesdays’ decision.
“I’ve had a number of complaints by e-mail and by phone call from residents in my ward and throughout the city that this wasn’t made a priority.”
One of the only additions made to the budget is $100,000 for extra snow clearing in school zones.
The 2013 budget will result in a property tax increase of 4.99 per cent, with 1.25 per cent going straight to road maintenance.
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