Council passes 2011 budgets
09
2010
City Council has approved the 2011 operating and utility budgets, setting the property tax increase at 2.35% for civic services plus an additional 1.5% to support the Neighbourhood Renewal Program. This tax rate will mean that an Edmonton house assessed at $330,000 should see an increase of approximately five dollars per month, once the final tax rate is set in the spring following the Province’s announcement of the Education Tax.
One of my priorities for this budget cycle was to improve transit service in the southeast, especially in newer areas which remain less accessible by bus. During Council’s deliberations, I made successful motions, based on resident feedback and recommendations from the Transportation Department, for the following service enhancements: midday weekend bus service for Silver Berry, Tamarack and Ellerslie Crossing; midday weekday bus service for Charlesworth; and early evening weekday bus service to various areas as required. I am also happy to announce that, in 2011, Summerside/Ellerslie Crossing will receive much-needed direct service to the Century Park LRT station, via South Edmonton Common. And, in response to safety concerns that residents have raised to me in the past, I also advocated successfully for an increase in the number of transit security officers.
In addition to these amendments, I brought forward a motion to ensure installation of more park benches in our city’s green spaces. The City will also fund increased weed control efforts and three additional grass mowing cycles. These decisions will result in more accessible, usable public amenities. In this spirit, I am pleased that Council voted to guarantee that public libraries will provide service on Sundays between September and May. Council also furthered its support of the Edmonton Arts Council and the Edmonton Homelessness Commission. As a result of the approved budget, fire response services in the southeast will be enhanced (including support for the Meadows and Ellerslie fire stations), and community leagues throughout Ward 12 and the City will receive assistance for ongoing operations and infrastructure, to enable them to continue with the important work they perform for our communities.
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