The City of Kenora’s operating budget could be passed as soon as today.

City council will hold it’s open meeting this afternoon.

Council debated the merits of deleting a new communications position budget, but council Lindsey Koch says that would be mistake.

“The communications position is now just someone who posts on social media,” Koch told council during a special meeting on Monday.

“It’s a buffer for Kyle (Attanasio, the city’s CAO) it’s a buffer for Heather (Pihulak, the city clerk) and maybe relief for Heather in some cases.  It’s succession planning, it’s help for you, your worship (mayor Andrew Poirier).”

Councillor Graham Chaze, who pushed for the creation of the job, thinks it’s still important.

“So I think having a professional in place, who has the expertise in todays, modern, fast-paced social media driven environment, will help get that messaging out there and hopefully people will understand how to do business with us.”

Mayor Andrew Poirier says he would like the money to be allocated instead to a full-time IT support position.

Council was told that most of the external agencies the city helps fund like the Northwestern Health Unit, the Kenora District Services Board and the OPP have their budget requests in.

The only one they are waiting on is the Kenora District Homes for the Aged.