The city released its proposed business plan and budgets for public review on Tuesday and will spend about $22B on infrastructure investment and city services over the next four years.

The proposed Action Plan covers the period from 2015-2018 and represents everything from new roads and recreation centres to snow clearing and other services.

“Action Plan is about all the things that makes our City great: a vibrant City that grows smart, plans for its future and balances affordable taxes with delivering important services for citizens,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “I invite everyone to review Action Plan in the coming weeks and let Council know what they think about our City’s plans and budgets for the next four years.”

“The proposed Action Plan shows that The City of Calgary will continue to provide over 100 different lines of service within the spending limits set by Council,” said Action Plan manager Sarah Woodgate. “In order to maintain services in the face of population growth and inflation, City departments have found significant efficiencies over the next four years, totalling nearly $50 million.”

Property taxes are always high on the list of priorities for Calgarians and council is looking at an annual tax increase of 4.7 percent. According to the city, that would mean an increase of about $249 over the four year period for the average household.

Action Plan Highlights include:

  • Refurbishing bus and light rail vehicles
  • Maintaining systems and technology assets
  • Increasing maintenance for streetlights, traffic signals, pavement and bridges
  • Introducing additional maintenance for activity centres and corridors
  • Replacing two bridges as well as several major road reconstructions
  • Improving traffic flow through technology and street improvements
  • Enhancing operational and noise attenuation to reduce impacts and delays
  • Upgrading the transit system, including power systems, garage facilities and fare collection equipment

Capital growth funding will be directed towards:

  • The Green Line Transitway project;
  • Implementing multiple bus rapid transit routes;
  • Expanding the LRT fleet to enable four-car trains;
  • Improving traffic control services through the construction of the new traffic signals and communications infrastructure connected to the upgraded Traffic Management Centre
  • Improving technology and safety measures
  • Construction of three interchanges
  • Connecting roads to new communities and the integration with the ring road.

The Action Plan focuses on four key areas:
 

  1. Council Priorities: goals and priorities set by City Council establish strategic direction for 2015-2018
  2. Departmental Business Plans: City Administration implements Council's direction by creating strategies, actions and targets
  3. Budgets: City budgets include revenues (i.e. tax rates, utility rates and user fees) and spending for both operating and capital budgets
  4. Citizen Engagement: Council uses the input received from citizens to assist in decisions being made on priorities, business plans and budgets

Council will start debate on the proposed plan and budget on November 24 and Calgarians are invited to weigh-in on the proposal by:

  • Submitting a comment online at calgary.ca/actionplan
  • Signing up to present to Council in-person during the public hearings until November 20
  • Submitting written material or presentations for Council’s consideration to The City Clerk’s Office by November 13.
  • Filling out a comment cards at Calgary Public Library branches from November 4-19.

Action Plan 2015-2018 shows how the city will deliver the 44 strategic actions over the next four years.

Click HERE to see the plan proposal or scroll the document below.