Nicole Butz
News Reporter
To help limit the property tax increase the city is proposing eliminating certain low-demand transit routes and 135 jobs. This will hopefully lower the tax to 4.8 per cent in 2010. This tax raise is equal to about $4.50 every month for each household and would be less than the original amount of 6.1 per cent. The city will be getting rid of the routes which are used less to result in a savings of $1.2 million. It would cut 21 500 service hours which is about one per cent of the transit service. Out of the 135 jobs, 31 are permanent, 43 are temporary, and 61 are vacant. There will be no reduction of the Calgary Police Service budget, which will cost $4.5 million. The city has said public safety is a priority. The cities revenues are down $20 million and an increased demand for services like public transit is expected to rise by 27 000 people. Alberta cities cannot run deficits; therefore the city has already withdrawn $13 million from its reserve fund. The city has been able to save money through other departments and made $20.5 million in cuts. City hall will meet on November 23rd to discuss the adjustments.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2009/11/12/calgary-city-hall-budget-property-taxes.html
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