Calgary council taps into reserves to increase spending while budget talks continue
Calgary councillors are dipping into city reserves to fund several projects while attempting to hold the line on property tax increases next year. More than three dozen amendments to the proposed mid-cycle budget adjustments are being discussed as council determines possible spending and savings.
As of 6 p.m. on Thursday, most of the amendments that were passed increased spending through one-time funding sources, while all of the attempts to cut from the budget were defeated.
Calgary will dip into its Fiscal Stability Reserve to provide $9.5 million for a new police firearms range and $15 million over two years was pledged to initiate recreation projects and upgrades, including at the Village Square Leisure Centre.
Council also decided to use $20 million from Future Capital Reserves to boost pavement improvement programs on roads.
"The reserves will run dry and guess what happens when reserves run dry? You have to increase taxes. So what are we doing? Setting everybody up for failure in the next budget cycle," said Coun. Sonya Sharp, the ward 1 representative.
As it stands, combined property taxes are still set to increase by 3.6 per cent in 2025.
"We could either increase taxes by increasing the budget for things that are needed like pavement quality, infrastructure, recreation facilities, but we knew we couldn't do that this year," said Mayor Jyoti Gondek.
"This year, we had to stay true to what we said in 2022 that the budget wouldn't increase beyond 3.6 per cent. Calgarians can't afford it."
Failed amendments
Amendments that failed include attempts to order the city's chief administration officer to find $2.5 million in savings in its executive budget; a motion to withdraw $10 million from the Secondary Suite Incentive Program; and an ask to move away from a transition to electric buses.
A motion to instead shift just 0.5 per cent of the tax base from non-residential to residential instead of a full per cent also failed, which would have saved the average single family home about $12 per year.
"So far, every time we're looking for savings, it's getting shut down. They call this the 'hold the line budget.' In reality, it's $600 million in increased spending," said Ward 13 Coun, Dan McLean.
Council also voted in favour of providing funding to keep the Inglewood Aquatic Centre open for another two years, however another reconsideration motion is needed to finalize the decision at another meeting.
The meeting on mid-cycle budget adjustments is set to continue at 1 p.m. on Friday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump threatens to try to take back the Panama Canal. Panama's president balks at the suggestion
Donald Trump suggested Sunday that his new administration could try to regain control of the Panama Canal that the United States “foolishly” ceded to its Central American ally, contending that shippers are charged “ridiculous” fees to pass through the vital transportation channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Man handed 5th distracted driving charge for using cell phone on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
An Ottawa driver was charged for using a cell phone behind the wheel on Sunday, the fifth time he has faced distracted driving charges.
Wrongfully convicted N.B. man has mixed feelings since exoneration
Robert Mailman, 76, was exonerated on Jan. 4 of a 1983 murder for which he and his friend Walter Gillespie served lengthy prison terms.
Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no
A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General.
opinion Christmas movies for people who don't like Christmas movies
The holidays can bring up a whole gamut of emotions, not just love and goodwill. So CTV film critic Richard Crouse offers up a list of Christmas movies for people who might not enjoy traditional Christmas movies.
More than 7,000 Jeep SUVs recalled in Canada over camera display concern
A software issue potentially affecting the rearview camera display in select Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Cherokee models has prompted a recall of more than 7,000 vehicles.
'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years
After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy.
10 hospitalized after carbon monoxide poisoning in Ottawa's east end
The Ottawa Police Service says ten people were taken to hospital, with one of them in life-threatening condition, after being exposed to carbon monoxide in the neighbourhood of Vanier on Sunday morning.
New York City police apprehend suspect in the death of a woman found on fire in a subway car
New York City police announced Sunday they have in custody a “person of interest” in the early morning death of a woman who they believe may have fallen asleep on a stationary subway train before being intentionally lit on fire by a man she didn't know.