Halifax Regional Municipality’s budget for 2009-10 has received a strong overall grade from the Halifax Chamber of Commerce.
In a media release sent out Wednesday, the Halifax Chamber of Commerce’s Municipal Affairs Committee graded the HRM budget with an overall score of B
The Chamber gave the budget an A for debt management, B for spending aligned with the Chamber’s strategic priorities, C for effective investment and spending and C-minus for commercial tax competitiveness. That led to the overall score of B.
In terms of specifics, the chamber said it was happy with the focused spending and debt management, the investment in Metro Transit, and the multi-year financial strategy.
They say the budget fell short in preparing the city for the downturn in tax revenue that the Chamber expects to take place in 2011.
Halifax regional council passed its budget Tuesday night, with a lone “nay” coming from Coun. Andrew Younger of East-Dartmouth-The Lakes.
