Thursday, April 25, 2013
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No-tax-hike budget planned Moves to council. A 1.5-per-cent tax reduction was made possible by unexpected returns HALEY RYAN
haley.ryan@metronews.ca
HILARIOUS HALIFAX
Comedian Nikki Payne performs during the opening gala of the Halifax Comedy Fest at Casino Nova Scotia’s Schooner Showroom on Wednesday night. The annual festival runs through Saturday. Story, page 6. JEFF HARPER/METRO
The proposed HRM budget will go to regional council next week, after the audit and finance committee approved the “no tax increase” aspect of the report. On Wednesday morning, the committee approved the budget presented by Richard Butts and Greg Keefe, chief administrative and financial officers, which includes a tax reduction of 1.5 per cent. “Those who have not done improvements to their home or purchased a new home will see the same or a reduced tax bill,” Butts said during the meeting. This applies to about 80 per
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“It’s a good day, but let’s not overstate it. We are stewards of the public’s money. This is not our money, this is their money.” Mayor Mike Savage cent of HRM residents, and 38 per cent of businesses. Butts said the 1.5 reduction option was possible thanks to a higher-than-expected surplus of $26 million for 2013-14. Keefe added after the meeting the surplus made quite a jump in the last few weeks because business units turned over more money than was expected after the fiscal year ended. The resolution passed by the committee approved an operating budget of $821 million and
a project budget of $165 million. Fire and emergency services, Metro Transit, and community and recreational services topped the spending list. Large projects include the Bedford Community Centre, Burnside development, adding a fourth ferry and more buses, transit technology, new sidewalks and roads, LED streetlights, and keeping a state of good repair across HRM. Mayor Mike Savage said passing this budget isn’t necessarily something to celebrate because keeping taxes consistent is something HRM should always do. “It’s an occasion for us to say as a municipality that we recognize the burden that our citizens and businesses face, that we have a responsibility to be prudent and sensible with our finances,” Savage said. The recommended budget will go to regional council on April 30. HALEY RYAN/METRO MORE COVERAGE, PAGE 3