*City council passes budget with 11-5 vote*
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https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/city-council-passes-budget-with-11-5-vote-1.4344...
With spring on the horizon, Winnipeg driver Armond Eaglestick says his street is showing signs of wear and tear.
"There's a lot of potholes," said Eaglestick.
He says Winnipeg streets aren't doing his truck any favours.
The shocks are always going, you got to pay you know shocks and tires, sometimes they pop," said Eaglestick.
Winnipeg city council passed the 2019 budget by an 11 to 5 vote, but there was no last minute money added to fix residential streets.
The outcome came in spite of lobbying efforts from the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association and others to find some cash.
"This year you wiped out all significant work on neighbourhood streets," said Chris Lorenc, president of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association.
Because of a $40 million funding dispute with the province, the city says it was forced to chop the local roads budget this year. Fifty-three street and lane projects fell by the wayside, even though homeowners are paying more in taxes.
"This was I believe a fiscally responsible reaction to the shortfall," said Mayor Brian Bowman.
Prior to the budget vote, councillors Ross Eadie and Jason Schreyer tabled a motion to borrow $10 million this year to reconstruct some of those roads.
"There is an expectation on our residents that they actually see some work this year," said Eadie.
Council voted against that plan.
"I for one do not believe it is appropriate to pull out the city's credit card to make Winnipeg taxpayers pay the province's bill," said Scott Gillingham, chair of city council’s finance committee.
But all might not be lost for the city's residential roads. The Trudeau government's federal budget this week contained a pledge to double gas tax revenues.
Winnipeg's share comes out to around $40 million.
"You know local roads could be one area for consideration by council, there could other things, active transportation,” said Bowman.
Mayor Brian Bowman says it's unclear when that money could flow.
Armond Eaglestick says the sooner the better.
"You can't really drive anywhere you have to dodge the holes and everything," said Eaglestick.