Wawa Municipal Council's confirmed this year's operating budget.
In their meeting Tuesday night, Council approved the $13.2-million budget presented last month, which was noted to be a 5.5% decrease from last year's budget, as it expects substantially lower revenues especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than $150,000 set aside to address that.
During the meeting, Council also agreed to recommendations to cancel this year's Canada Day fireworks and festivities and to keep the Tourist Information Centre closed for the year - over health and safety concerns - but provide portable washrooms that would be cleaned daily, with garbage pickup, as well.
Council was assured that the Waterfront Project is still moving forward this summer, while a request has been made of higher levels of government to extend funding for liquefied natural gas projects, given current issues from the pandemic.
Finally, Council agreed to provide support for the new seniors housing project, potentially waiving or covering building permit costs and providing $200,000 to ADSAB - as it faces a nearly $1-million difference between expected cost and the amount from the lowest bidder - with the funds to come from the money previously provided by the NWMO, and CAO/Treasurer Maury O'Neill to negotiate the support agreement with ADSAB.