More than 130 people have signed up to have their say on Calgary’s multibillion-dollar budget for next year. Individuals and community groups are making their pitches for priorities as council gets set to debate and consider budget adjustments. “We’re going to be looking at significantly reducing the increase that residential homeowners are facing, with a target to at least cut it in half,” Mayor Jeromy Farkas said Monday. What is proposed right now is a combined property tax increase of 3.6 per cent, with that hike climbing to 5.8 per cent for single-family residential properties. Public speakers are asking councillors to consider increased spending in a variety of areas, from affordable housing incentives to better sporting facilities. “If we don’t have better fields, if we don’t have good fields, people are going to start turning away,” said Hamza Tariq with the Future Stars Cricket Foundation. Tariq was one of several speakers on Monday morning advocating for Calgary to boost its spending for sports infrastructure. After public submissions and questions to administration, the newly elected council will have its first chance to bring forth possible spending and savings amendments. Andre Chabot, councillor for Ward 10, has indicated he’ll bring forward several options to cut spending, including going to the province to cover programs he says should fall under the Alberta government’s responsibility. “Anything related to income support, as an example. Low-income transit pass being one-time funding again, to continue to push the province to actually take on that responsibility,” he said. Chabot also wants to consider cuts to transit programs. “Things like the free (transit) fare for children under 12 years old have created nothing but problems for our city, have put people in jeopardy, have created a safety issue on our public transit system,” Chabot said. “Elimination of the free fare zone downtown because, contrary to the mayor, I think it’s created more social disorder.” Public submissions will continue Tuesday morning before city departments make their budget requests. Final decisions on the budget and property tax rate won’t come until late Thursday or Friday.
