Halifax council discusses increases to transportation and public works budget

Halifax council discussed proposed increases to next year's transportation and public worksbudget today but not allcouncillorsare satisfied.

If the 2016-2017budget proposal is approved, there will be $5 million morefor winter snow clearing, another $2 million to cover the new Otter Lake landfill contract and $5 million more for road paving.

When reserves and cuts to other programs are factored in, city staff are proposing an increase of $9.2 million over the 2014-15budget.

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As far as snow clearing costs go, it's an increaseover what was budgeted, but not what was actually spent.

"One of the things we did by moving to new contractsis put a cap on that, so we have more confidence in our ability to control it within our budget,"said Bruce Zvaniga,the new director of the department.

Weekly pickups

Coun.Bill Karsten was lookingfor an expansion of the weeklygreen cartpickupinto themonth of September.

"It's time has come," Karsten said. "Regional council indicated that in September."

Coun.Steve Adams also asked for weeklypickup of blue bags inrural and suburban areas of theHalifax region.

The two requests would add another $1.7 million tothe department's budget.

"We have to hold the line on taxes," Mayor MikeSavage said. "Doesn't mean I'm opposed, but if we do it,it hasto come from somewhere else."

A final vote on next year's budget is expected in earlyMarch.