Budget should remain as approved, city manager argues

City council has decided to discuss next year's budget in September instead of November.

Administration says it makes sense to do it sooner because no changes are planned.

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But some councillors say it's too early to make that call.

Coun. Ward Sutherland says the 2016 budget already includes a 4.7 per cent property tax hike and increases in utility rates. He says given the economic downturn, Calgarians want a break.

"I can tell you I get calls now all the time, with economic change, they're just thinking 4.7 is ... just too high."

But city manager Jeff Fielding says the economic downturn — and the fact that there are no new sources of money— is a good reason for not tinkering with the budget.

And he says the sooner that message is sent, the better.

"I'll be honest with you and I'm being very frank. I'm not prepared to bring in a budget higher than what was approved in 2014. I'm not prepared to do that," he said.

"And so holding the line with administration is basically saying, 'what was approved is what you get.'"

Fielding says Calgary is looking at $40-million in reduced revenues this year, but the organization will find ways to absorb that.