The approved budget includes $731 million for Operating ( a 4.9% increase over 2009/2010) and a gross Capital/Project Budget of $157 million (an 11% increase over 2009/2010).

“This is a fiscally responsible budget that balances our need to spend in key areas with the ability of taxpayers to shoulder additional costs,” said Mayor Peter Kelly. “While Council never wants to increase taxes, we did our best to minimize the impact to taxpayers while protecting the programs and services residents rely upon.”

The general rates of taxation on residential property will be set at:
●    $0.7088 for the urban area
●    $0.6918 for the suburban area
●    $0.6850 for the rural area..

The general rates of taxation on commercial and business occupancy will
be set at:
●    $3.257 for the urban area
●    $3.257 for the suburban area
●    $2.899 for the rural area.

Tax rates associated with Transit Tax be set at:
●    $0.051 for the Regional Transportation tax rate
●    $0.105 for the Local Transit tax rate

Based upon the direction of Council during the Fiscal Framework process that preceded budget, staff proposed a combination of measures to address the funding gap within HRM.  Council asked staff to find $14 million within current spending, apply $10 million to the transit rate to support transit growth, and attribute $6 million to the general tax rate, which would have resulted in a general tax rate increase of 1.7 per cent. When the funding gap rose to $35.5 million – because of the provincial increase in HST and additional funds required to support snow and ice removal – staff increased the list of combined savings,
efficiencies and new revenues to $19.5 million.

The approved budget includes $22.5 million through efficiencies, service reductions, and added revenues; $8 million on the transit rate; and $3 million on the general rate resulting in an increase of just under one percent.

The weekly summer green cart service has been maintained.

Service reductions include suspension of contributions to the Community Facility Partnership Grants Program, deferral of spending on trails, reduction in funding to Public Art projects, and closing of Visitor Information Centres.  Fee increases include Solid Waste Tipping Fees, fees for provision of tax information, streets and services permit fees, and fees for criminal record checks.

A $731 million total Operating Budget (4.0% increase over 2009/2010) and a gross Capital Budget of $157 million (10.9% increase over 2009/2010) is being proposed.  Exclusive of Transit enhancements and additional contributions for Solid Waste to fund the next land fill cell, growth in the municipal portion of the operating budget has been limited to less than the rate of inflation.

In presenting the draft budget, Mr. English highlighted that HRM staff have met the challenge of building a balanced budget.  Recognizing a $30
million budget gap, Council asked staff to find $14 million within current spending, apply $10 million to the transit rate to support transit growth, and attribute $6 million to the general tax rate.  As the budget gap grew to approximately $35.5 million, due to an HST increase and additional funding added to the Winter Works budget, and additional $5.5 million in efficiencies, increased revenues, and proposed budget reductions was identified – for a total of $19.5 million.

“It is fair to say that every area of our operations has undergone an intense level of scrutiny, and every avenue for new or increased revenues has been explored,” said Mr. English.

As proposed, the budget will mean some service reductions, and moderate increases in fees and taxes. “The proposed addition of $6 million
through the general tax rate equates to a rate increase of 1.7%, or an annual general rate increase of $22 on HRM’s average home assessment of $180,200,” noted Cathie O’Toole, HRM’s Chief Financial Officer.

The $10 million in revenue proposed through an increase in the Transit area rate will be achieved through Transit Regional Rate increase of
$0.008 and a Transit Local Rate increase of $0.02.  The impact of the rates on the annual tax bill of an average home assessment of $180,200
will be approximately $55.

Service reductions in the proposed budget include elimination of weekly green cart pick-up, suspension of contributions to the Community
Facility Partnership Grants Program, deferral of spending on trails, reduction in funding to Public Art projects, and some Visitor
Information Centre closures.

Proposed fee increases include Solid Waste Tipping Fees, fees for provision of tax information, streets and services permit fees, and fees for criminal record checks.

“The proposed budget represents a fair and balanced approach that addresses the funding gap in HRM while protecting core services and
respecting the finite abilities of HRM citizens to shoulder growing tax burdens and additional fees,” said Mr. English.

While taking measures to address the funding gap, the proposed budget also includes targeted investment in community and Council priority areas such as Transit expansion and continuation of new infrastructure projects, such as the Central Library, Canada Games Centre, and the 4-Pad Arena in Bedford.

HRM’s inaugural Corporate Plan was also presented to Council this evening.  The document is the municipality’s main strategic planning tool, and aligns the programs and services HRM delivers with the needs of residents.

The plan will help to achieve success in six community outcome areas:
●    Safe and Welcoming Communities
●    Diverse Recreation, Leisure, and Cultural Choices
●    Well Planned and Engaged Communities
●    Clean and Healthy Environment
●    Integrated and Affordable Transportation Networks
●    Economic Prosperity.

Halifax Regional Council is scheduled to debate the proposed budget starting on Friday, May 21, 2010.

For more information on the proposed 2010/11 budget and Corporate Plan, please visit  www.halifax.ca

At over 5600 square kilometres HRM is geographically one of the largest Municipalities in Canada. Halifax was noted as having the best waste diversion levels, but this success was tempered by having the most sprawl, the lowest population density and the least green space of the considered set. HRMbyDesign is a priority initiative that takes direct aim at these issues. “HRMbyDesign’s densification strategy and Neighbourhood Greenprint will ensure that many more people will be living and working sustainability in our urbanized core,” said Andy Fillmore, HRM’s Urban Design Project Manager. “The recently adopted Downtown Plan will mean that a walkable, beautiful, mixed-use downtown in conjunction with a streamlined new development approval process will draw future growth downtown rather than to suburban and rural areas.”

Founded in 2002, Corporate Knights Inc. is an independent Canadian media company focused on promoting and reinforcing sustainable development in Canada. Their comprehensive ranking identifies Canadian cities whose practices leave the smallest environmental footprint possible and create a healthy, thriving population. Cities are assessed based on five categories: Ecological Integrity; Economic Security; Governance and Empowerment; Infrastructure and Built Environment and Social Well-Being.

For more information on HRM’s Sustainable Environment Management Office and energy efficiency projects visit: www.halifax.ca/environment/semo

In late 2006, Council selected a group of citizens and councillors from across HRM to form a Tax Reform Committee to consult with the public and return with recommendations for an alternate municipal tax system.

The Committee proposed a Draft Tax Model in March 2008 – a service based tax that included low and middle income tax relief.  Following a second set of consultations, amendments were made to include the introduction of a surtax on high value homes and Council was presented with a revised model in June 2009.

In September 2009 Council dissolved the Tax Reform Committee and assumed its responsibilities. In June and September, Committee of the Whole debated a recommendation that originated with the Tax Reform Committee. Council suspended its debate on the motion and agreed to participate in tax information workshops, two full days of which were held in November 2009.

Links to the staff report and tax reform background information can be found at www.halifax.ca by following a link from the home page.

HRM received an unqualified audit opinion from KPMG, external auditors for the Halifax Regional Municipality. Councillor Gloria McCluskey,
Chair of the Audit Committee, and Mayor Peter Kelly, commended the work of HRM Finance staff as well as the audit team from KPMG, in ensuring the financial reporting of the municipality is complete and fairly presented.

“Council is very focused on prudent fiscal management and ensuring all decisions we make are well thought out with financial implications fully disclosed and considered,” said Mayor Kelly following Tuesday (Nov. 9) evening’s Council vote to accept the statements.

HRM Chief Administrative Officer Dan English, and Chief Financial Officer Cathie O’Toole are pleased that HRM was able to close out the 2008/09 fiscal year with an operating surplus of  $825,000.  

“While modest, this surplus will help offset some significant budget risks for this year, particularly as we head into the snow and ice season,” said CAO Dan English. “I am grateful to all HRM staff who contributed to sound financial management throughout the year”.

Please join us at one of the following meetings. Your feedback is important.

Dates and Times:

November 23, 2009
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Needham Centre/Pool
3372 Devonshire Avenue, Halifax

November 25, 2009
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
St. Andrew’s Centre – Seniors Room
6955 Bayers Road, Halifax

November 26, 2009
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Halifax Forum – Multi Purpose Centre
6210 Young Street, Halifax

For more information, contact:
Betty Lou Killen at 490-4833

During the next few months, Public Gardens officials are going make a decision on acquiring new birds for the Gardens. Any replacements would not be until Spring, 2010.

He will be missed and staff and visitors will remember him fondly.

For more information contact Contact:
Shaune MacKinlay
Manager, Public Affairs
490-6531

With the operations at the Centre growing and developing, Community Recreation Services will transition to a Community Board Operation on or about September 1, 2010. This transition is in keeping with Halifax Regional Municipality’s Community Facility Master Plan approved by Regional Council in June 2008. The Centre will operate under the Facility Lease Agreement Program, but will remain an HRM asset. HRM will provide support such as Board development and training, core funding and capital resources. Fire Station 45 and it operations will remain under the management of HRM Fire Services and will not be affected by the transtition of the Community Centre.

Members of the community will be invited to apply to participate on the Steering Committee and Board early in the new year – 2010. The Steering Committee will be selected first and this group will work with HRM staff to develop criteria, recruit and select the initial members of the Community Operational Board.

HRM currently operates many facilities under the Facility Lease Agreement Program. The Dartmouth Sportsplex, St. Margaret’s Centre and the Springfield Lake Recreation Centre are prime examples. The new Canada Games Centre in Clayton Park West and the Prospect Community Centre will both be owned by HRM and operated by a Community Board. There are currently more than 40 facility lease agreements in place within HRM.
The Municipality wants this Community Centre to thrive, so at the request of the Board, HRM will provide the resources, tools and support it requires to ensure the successful operation of the facility. The local municipal Community Recreation Coordinator will serve as a liaison between the Community Board and HRM. The Municipality acknowledges there are water issues at the facility and will maintain responsibility for the water until those issues are satisfactorily resolved. HRM looks forward to a solid working relationship with the Board and a long, prosperous life for this important community asset.

If you have inquires or are looking for more information please contact Ivy Warren, Area Coordinator, Community Recreation Services, at 869-4208 or warreni@halifax.ca.

Today the Halifax Regional Municipality launched an online survey to seek the opinions of residents on sustainable transportation. The short survey can be found at www.halifax.ca/tdm and asks questions that pertain to commuter habits and how people think sustainable transportation options should be funded.

The results of the survey will be used to assist in the development of the Transportation Master Plan and to make recommendations to Council for a multi-faceted approach to sustainable transportation within the municipality. Residents are encouraged to log-on between now and October 16, 2009 to have their opinion count!

Funded by HRM in partnership with Halifax Harbour Bridges and Conserve NS,  the survey is part of a broader initiative to develop programs that encourage commuters to choose public transit or other alternatives to personal vehicles. One of the main goals is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the urban passenger vehicles by helping municipalities attract residents to sustainable modes of transportation.