Kamloops mayor wants to take away council’s lunch money

The mayor of Kamloops is proposing the city put a stop to catered meals at council meetings.

Reid Hamer-Jackson suggested it could free up funds for "other initiatives," putting the motion up for a vote at a council meeting today, Sept. 26.

"This could alleviate funds to be spent in a more efficient manner that could better serve our community," his notice of motion reads.

The mayor told iNFOnews.ca the city spends $22,000 per year on catered meals for council and staff during regularly scheduled meetings, suggesting those who need to be there could pack their own lunch instead.

At a previous council meeting Hamer-Jackson proposed the city fund transportation for people who are homeless and want to get to their home communities.

That notice of motion was repealed after he learned the grant funding he suggested was allocated elsewhere and not available.

Putting an end to catered meals could help the city find a "way to save money and help the people on the streets," he said.

Council is set to debate Hamer-Jackson's this afternoon.

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