Halifax council has had heated debates in recent days as discussion continues around the municipal budget, with some councillors blasting Mayor Andy Fillmore’s suggestions as “chaos.”

At a budget committee meeting last Friday, Mayor Andy Fillmore asked for a briefing note on the impact of most departments cutting wages and compensation costs up to 7 per cent across three years. He said this would not apply to frontline positions in transit, fire and police.

Fillmore said it was the responsible move to make “tough decisions” as Halifax faces a possible 10.9 per cent average property tax bill increase. He said it also follows the lead of the federal and expected provincial government cuts to civil staff.

But senior municipal staff said that request would take time to do properly, and analyzing any impacts to services would be impossible. 

They noted an upcoming service review for Halifax this year is already looking at staffing levels and if there are any areas for efficiency.

Chief Financial Officer Jerry Blackwood said this kind of exercise must be done thoughtfully.

Suggestions of staff cuts can have ‘collateral damage’

“Things like this — they can have collateral damage as they reverberate through the organization,” Blackwood said.

Staff said about $20 million in savings was already baked into the budget, stemming from managing vacant positions, turnover, or eliminating positions not yet filled.

Many councillors did not mince words with their thoughts on the mayor’s motion.

“This is poor judgement,” said Coun. Tony Mancini. 

Mancini added that councillors are still waiting to learn about the suite of cuts staff were asked to suggest to keep the tax rate flat, stemming from a motion from Coun. Shawn Cleary.

Coun. Becky Kent said she was not impressed to see the mayor’s motion so late in the budget process, throwing “what feels like, to me, a tantrum.”

“I know … the mayor cares about all of the things that we have to do here in the municipality. I don’t like being painted like he’s the only one that is,” Kent said.

Coun. Kathryn Morse said it was the worst motion she has seen in her six years on council.

“It feels like some of the motions coming forward are a bit desperate, that they’re causing a lot of chaos,” Morse told reporters at City Hall Tuesday.

Friday’s motion was defeated, with only Fillmore and Coun. David Hendsbee voting in favour.

Although budget debates began months ago in November, Fillmore said Tuesday that he thought waiting for the human resources department to come to budget committee now was the right time to suggest staff cuts.

“It’s a joyless prospect. It’s a joyless conversation to have,” Fillmore told reporters.

“People are in an affordability pinch today. People are making decisions about whether they can stay in their apartment today. And this tax rate is going to impact people … we’re going to have to bring it down somehow.”

Fillmore’s office released a statement Friday afternoon on his failed motion, saying residents need council to have difficult conversations to avoid a double-digit tax bill increase over the next few years. 

When asked why he felt that was necessary, Fillmore said he respects the outcome of the vote, but “was disappointed.”

“So I think a little bit of energy is called for in this debate right now to try to do right by residents of HRM,” Fillmore said Tuesday.

In light of Fillmore’s repeated push for cost-cutting, last week multiple councillors questioned the optics of the mayor’s office asking for a budget increase and new staff position.

On Tuesday, the budget committee also voted down Fillmore’s request to consider reducing the strategic infrastructure and climate fund reserve by either one-third immediately, or spreading the cut across the last five years of the program. It failed 14 votes to three, with councillors Hendsbee and Trish Purdy the only votes in favour alongside Fillmore.

Staff said the reserve has been key in attracting millions of dollars in cost-sharing from other levels of government for major projects like energy retrofits, or naturalizing flood-prone roadways. By retrofitting buildings, or investing in electric buses, staff also said these funds save annual costs in the long run.

When asked about his thoughts on his relationship with council, and the impact of such debates and opposing views, Filmore said a “tremendous amount of work” has been done to improve that relationship.

Last year Halifax spent about $22,500 for a workshop with a professional facilitator to help the mayor and council work more constructively.

Fillmore said he does not think another session is needed.

“I believe that we’re all committed on working together in the best interest of residents,” he said.

Next week, councillors will debate a long list of possible cuts, or new revenue ideas, to bring the tax increase down. The overall city budget will pass in late March.

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