While most of council was quick to vote in favour of a budget that it had deliberated on and approved provisionally last year, one councillor took a different route.
At Monday's meeting, Councillor Tracy Gray spoke and voted against Budget 2017.
She says the large increase in new positions opening up at City Hall doesn't sit well with her.
"Since we had our budget deliberations in December, I've really spent a lot of time reflecting on the provisional budget, and I have to vote with my heart and what I believe in," she said.
"And I believe in small government and strong fiscal discipline, all while taking care of the things we need to in our community. And I feel that many of the permanent staff positions in this budget are more of a want than a need."
In 2017, the city is expected to bring on upwards of 20 new staff members, with a mix of full and part time.
She says the problem is that these decisions are permanent, and will create a snowball effect for future operating budgets.
"The hits to taxation, as part of an increase in operating budgets in the future, are therefore even greater next year and the years following," she said.
"And any time that we hire a new permanent position, whether it's part-time or full-time, that position is in perpetuity, and is subject to increases every year unless you decide to terminate the position."
Gray says she thinks many of these jobs can be filled in more cost effective ways.
"I believe many of the permanent positions in this year's budget could be handled by term positions, or as a service provided as a specific project by an outside consultant or contractor," she said.
"So the hiring needs and philosophy of this budget, which crosses pretty much every department with many positions, is just too far out of my belief system for me to support this year's budget."
When it was all said and done, Gray was the only only one who cast a vote in opposition.