Politicians of Canadian city Waterloo has turned down the option of upgrading to smart LED streetlights, reported The Record.

The regionwide streetlight upgrade project, will be adding narrowband technology during the conversion process that will add another CA $1.2 million.

However, city staff have recommended to abandon the smart technology that would have enabled easy dim and control of the new LED streetlights to potentially save money.

"I'm not spending money hoping for dollars," Coun. Jeff Henry said at Monday's finance and strategic planning committee.

The council unanimously backed the staff report that turned down the smart technology.

Lack of budgets and potential incur of extra costs that would delay the streetlight conversion project were cited as the main reasons.

"It seems counterintuitive to not do something that's innovative," said Coun. Diane Freeman.

Moreover, the rapid changes in smart LED streetlight technology would have made the move “premature”.