At best, the beginnings of a city budget resembles an awkward teenager – raw, lacking direction and sometimes exasperating.

Derived from subjective beginnings and vague notions, over the next few months city staff and council will shape and mold it until it becomes a productive and polished document capable of work and accomplishment.

Encouraged by Coun. Jim Kipp, Nanaimo city council got to work early on a draft for 2010-2014 budget priorities in August and at a meeting Thursday, got their first look at the teenager they have created.

It’s rough around the edges but workable in the eyes of all of council except Coun. Bill Bestwick, the only one to vote against ratifying the list of 11 budget priorities.

“No. 11 is to create a strong pride of place,” said Bestwick. “What is that? What does that mean? Hanging baskets with flowers? Some of these are just too vague.”

Coun. Larry McNabb went so far as to tear the list up, inexplicably, before finally conceding to vote for it.

At the top of the list is maintaining a safe and adequate water supply and sewer services, followed by developing a strategy for increased energy self-sufficiency. Economy and ability to pay for green industry, the unbuilt downtown hotel and recreation facility replacement/sports recreation centre rounded out the top five priorities.

“[The process] is quite subjective, I have to admit,” said Al Kenning, deputy city manager. “At this point we’re just looking to put some meat on the bones. Capital requests always exceed the money we have to spend, so a priorities list sets us in the direction council wants to take.”

Council began the process by identifying general ideas before determining their importance at an in-camera meeting. That list, once passed by council, goes to staff departments which then begins the process of preparing a five-year financial plan.

“It’s just a starting point before we apply dollars and cents,” said Mayor John Ruttan.”

Kipp said the list adequately reflects the Official Community Plan by addressing the environment, economy and equity.

“It’s a triple bottom line and I think we’ve captured the capital versus philosophical sides in relation to the OCP,” said Kipp. “I like the philosophy of these and it’s a positive step forward.”

Public safety – police and fire – originally ranked 10th, but after the RCMP approached council Monday with a needs list that includes hiring an additional 26 police officers, Coun. Merv Unger asked to have moved up as a higher priority.

“That’s something that’s right in our face now,” said Unger, referring to what could amount to an additional $3.5-million expenditure.

Council also passed a motion put forth by Coun. Bill Holdom to consider a five-year moratorium on building new roads to address an increase in carbon dioxide emissions.

Holdom said new buildings, improved landfill facilities and other factors are all resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emission, while vehicles are solely responsible for an increase of 50 per cent of local CO2.

“We’ve done too good a job at building roads and now transportation contributes too much to C02 levels,” said Holdom. “We’ve made it too easy to get around and haven’t involved other forms of transportation. It’s a conflict of values for me.”

Staff and council now have to determine what constitutes a new road.

Transportation, environmental protection and long-term strategic planning also made the priorities list, which will go back to staff to come up with interpretations and create examples for possible projects.

The “meat on the bones” will be returned to council for further direction within two months and the budget will be passed in its final form before its May 15 legislated deadline.

reporter2@nanaimobulletin.com