Tempers flare during HRM budget deficit debate
Posted Apr 14, 2010 05:45:57 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Tempers are fraying and tension rising at city hall as councillors and staff grapple with a $30 million deficit.
A news release from the mayor and CAO issued Tuesday last night spells out the financial challenge in no uncertain terms, noting that money can’t be raised from property assessments this year because of a cap that affects most homes in HRM.
The release goes on to say that councillors must make some tough decisions between service cuts, finding new revenue services, hiking taxes – or some combination of all three.
During debate on Tuesday, Coun. Steve streatch (Eastern Shore-Musquodoboit Valley) raised the idea of reducing the city’s workforce, noting it’s a touchy subject.
“If council decided in its wisdom to make changes in our service levels, the implications obviously would be that staffing levels would have to be included in that discussion,” he said.
Staff told Streatch the 3500 municipal employees cost $282 million dollars last year – 50 per cent of the city’s operating budget.
Streatch pointed out that it’s a significant figure – but Coun. Tim Outhit (Bedford) objected to putting only staff in the bullseye.
“I will not support a budget that, if it becomes this difficult, does not affect our wages and our discretionary spending as well,” he said. “That’s leadership. And that’s sincerity.”
As the debate dragged on, the mayor had to break out the gavel more than once.
“We talked about respect while people are speaking, we talked about listening to all sides, and we need to do it,” Peter Kelly angrily told council after one exchange.
Council ended up voting to axe six visitor information centres in metro, a decision that will save more than $500,000 by 2012.
Council also approved a recommendation to expand its burial services in municipal cemetaries, which would turn a $400,000 cost into a revenue stream worth up to $100,000 a year.
