Halifax Regional Council deferred a debate yesterday that will potentially solve the $13.9-million funding gap in this city’s budget.
After a staff presentation, council moved to debate the issue on Dec. 13 and 14 because more research is needed.
“The speech we had today … is not going far enough. We’ve got to make some really serious and painful decisions over the next little while and I really think we have to take a little more time and reflect,” said Coun. Steve Streatch.
Council decided staff will prepare a report indicating what will happen to the tax rate if services are added or removed. The presentation showed $13.9 million can be made up by the fall of 2011 from collecting $3 million from efficiencies, $3.5 million from continuing vacancy management of staff, and $6.5 million from operating funding reductions, said chief financial officer Cathie O’Toole.
She cited public art, landscaping, special event advertisement and sport field maintenance as services that may see funding reductions.
