Mayor offers up budget savings
Posted Nov 29, 2010 7:35 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Calgary’s new Mayor has put forward his own budget proposals which, if approved, would push next year’s tax hike below five per cent.
Ahead of the 2011 budget debate beginning at city hall Monday, Naheed Nenshi will table a total of $20-million dollars in budget savings.
About half of those savings would come about by various city managers being told they will have to make-do with less.
Nenshi would do away with Calgary Transit Park and Ride fees and cut adult transit fee increases in half.
He also wants to kill a planned $1.7-million gym for city hall employees.
Nenshi says he would reduce costs in his own office as well.
The outline also includes an innovation fund that would help the city run pilot projects.
Nenshi says he’s trying to craft a budget that reflects the priorities of Calgarians and invest in things they find important, while keeping tax increases reasonable.
He says he hopes city council has an appetite for the changes.
If the Mayor’s budget cuts are approved, most homeowners would see their taxes rise by $54 in 2011, down from the projected increase of more than $80.
