Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Possible LIP referendum defeated

Tie vote of council results in defeat of holding a referendum on LIP funding model 

Coun. Heather Eby speaks to her LIP referendum
motion at the May 2, 2016 council meeting.
Lisa Goudy/Times-Herald

By Lisa Goudy

Disagreement on the wording of Coun. Heather Eby’s LIP referendum motion was the subject of an hour of debate at Monday’s council meeting.

“My intentions were pure. I was not prepared to change my vote on the LIP but I’ve heard from both sides of this issue loud and clear,” said Eby. “It seemed like the right thing to do to give the citizens of Moose Jaw the opportunity to vote on this.”

With Coun. Patrick Boyle absent, her motion on a referendum for the local improvement program funding model for cast iron water main replacement was defeated in a tie of 3-3 with Coun. Brian Swanson, Coun. Don Mitchell and Coun. Dawn Luhning opposed and Eby, Mayor Deb Higgins and Coun. Candis Kirkpatrick in favour.

“It’s not really that big of a surprise,” said Eby.

Read more