|
Calgarians expect high-quality of their city services. The approved budget maintains services and where possible, reprioritizing spending on citizen priorities identified in Citizen Satisfaction Surveys including roads, planning for housing around transit stations, and downtown safety. As we continue to spend less per person every year, Calgarians are noticing that our service levels are decreasing. Without increases to property taxes, we cannot maintain, never mind increase services. As example, road quality has suffered recently due to historic budget cuts. Cuts sound like a good idea in the moment, but eventually result in increased spending long term when we need more funding to make up for the reduced maintenance. The Mid-cycle budget adjustments passed today, continue Councils year-over-year investment into services and program delivery for Calgarians in a financial environment where inflationary pressures mean that the dollars we have today are buying significantly less than just five years ago. For example, the Parks budget has remained relatively flat when adjusted for inflation, meaning we are spending $2,000 less per hectare than in 2008, resulting in less regular maintenance like mowing, watering, and plantings. Key Investments Funded
Investments Unfunded to Keep Tax Rate Low
Operating Budget At 3.6% overall property tax increase, the budget balances maintaining core services like road repaving and transit service delivery hours, while investing in public safety to improve fire response times and adding 911 dispatch for transit peace officers. New funding to improve the tree canopy across the city will add new trees in all quadrants. The cost of living is straining all Calgarians, but especially those near the poverty line. This budget ensures we uphold the low-income transit program, ensuring those struggling the most and earning the least will still have an affordable means to get around. The budget maintains investments we have made the past three years including funding for more rapid flashing beacons for crosswalks, and improved snow clearing not just for roads but for sidewalks, multi-use pathways, and bikeways as well. Capital Budget highlights I’m encouraged that the capital budget allocates funds for both planning and infrastructure upgrades at Anderson and Southland LRT stations. This will drive future land sales at these stations to create housing and tax uplift realizing four times the investment in just 10 years. This is a smart use of existing City land and I know many residents have been vocal in the redevelopment of these sites. The capital budget advances funds for proactive water infrastructure upgrades across the City. To be clear, this is not because there is risk of imminent failure of another asset but rather, in response to citizens’ concerns. The budget also forwards funds for building a second water treatment plant at Bearspaw to accommodate growth. $30 million dollars are identified for additional paving above our regular annual spending. I know this has been raised as a concern by many people, and I agree; improved paving creates safer roads. Lastly and at the community level, we are investing $2.5 million in established areas (which is most of Ward 11) for public realm upgrades. This includes improved pathways, sidewalks, and crosswalks. While this money is city-wide, there are many priority projects on the books in Ward 11 communities for which I continue to advocate. We must continue investing to ensure our city can properly deliver the services you care about. As a growing city, consistent spending is crucial. If you have any questions about the specifics in our budget, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Related information and materials 
Comments are closed.
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
November 2024
Categories |
||
RSS Feed