Possible budget battle brewing at City Hall
Posted Nov 9, 2011 10:23 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Calgary police are bucking the mayor’s austerity push at city hall.
Back in the summer, Mayor Naheed Nenshi asked department heads to find ways to improve efficiencies in order to reduce their operating costs.
The Calgary Police Service is seeking a budget increase of $5-million this year alone, with a similar hike in the offing.
President of the Calgary Police Association John Dooks tells 660News they need the cash to hire and train additional officers just in order to keep up with city growth.
Dooks says reduced funding would impact public safety, pointing out this year alone they had to eliminate a recruitment class.
Proposed tax increases totally just over 16 per cent for the next three years were tabled back in June.
Administration will unveil the budget numbers Wednesday detailing their impact on city hall staffing levels.
Calgarians will also have a better idea of proposed fee increases for city services, ranging from garbage collection to transit.
The budget debate at city hall begins Nov. 21, and Calgarians will be given a chance to share their views.
