A $1.6-million surplus won't be going to waste at city hall with $75,000 approved to keep up with goose droppings in Windsor.
The 2017 operating budget surplus has been transferred to city reserves but some of that cash is being used right away. It will go toward buying equipment that will help clean waterfront paths of the mess left behind by the many Canada Geese, that also enjoy the water.
Mayor Drew Dilkens says the equipment looks like a miniature street sweeper. He stresses councillors have been hearing from residents of the need to address the issue. "Clearly we see all of council gets calls and we see that there is an increase issue over the last several years with respect to Canada Geese and the droppings that they leave along our riverfront paths in particular."
(Photo by AM800's Bob Becken)
"Initially the equipment will be used along the city's waterfront, but Dilkens isn't ruling out using it elsewhere. "I recognized that around Southwood Lakes and some other areas of the city, Blue Heron area, there are also problems that we need to work on and so, this equipment will at least allow us to start the process of making sure that we're addressing those problems on some of those path systems that we have in the city."
The City of Windsor has posted operating surpluses in each of the last six years including a $3.9-million surplus for the 2016 budget year.