Balancing the pain: Will Halifax cut services or 10.5 per cent property tax hike?

Property taxes were a hot topic at the Halifax council’s budget discussions.

Many councillors are raising concerns about the proposed 10.5 per cent property tax increase as budget discussions officially started on Wednesday.

“Do we cut back on recreational services? I don’t think so. Do we cut back on the state of the roads? You know, how many more potholes can we afford not to fill in?” asked Coun. David Hendsbee when speaking to reporters. “I’m concerned about those kinds of things.”

Coun. Billy Gillis says difficult conversations are necessary, defining what’s essential and what’s not, while sharing an email he from a constituent.

“With these constant increases year after year you’re having, how do you guys even consider this?” he read. “I may have to lose my house... That’s a pretty sombre email and so far, I’ve received… they’re starting to pile up.”

Most of the $88.9-million proposed increase to the budget stems from salary increases ($38 million) and carryover from 2025/26 budget items ($24 million).

If 10.5 per cent is passed, the average tax bill would increase by $276. Many councillors noted discussions are very early and the final number will likely be lower than 10.5.

Asked if he thinks a flat tax rate is possible, Coun. Sam Austin said, “Not without massive pain. And I seriously doubt that that will be worth it. But we’ll see.

“We are facing either a significant increase or significant service cuts, service cuts that people will feel.”

Mayor Andy Fillmore put forward a framework motion asking staff to detail financial savings of a possible staff hiring freeze, chopping the Climate Action Tax by one-third and a 10 per cent cut to program grants; all of those passed. But exploring cutting back green bin collection in the summer again was voted down 10-to-five.

“I think for the most part, they’re (councillors) onside,” Fillmore told reporters. “I was very gratified that folks were able to get behind the elements of that motion. It sets a good tone for the debate that follows, I believe.

“As you can see, there’s some discussion now about adding service enhancements.”

Coun. Tony Mancini was absent from the meeting while Coun. Shawn Cleary, who was present for the majority of the day, was absent from the afternoon votes.

Council was told 70 per cent of the budget is public-facing services, including police, fire, transit and public works.

Coun. Becky Kent had asked for nine new RCMP officers, but council voted against seven of those. They did vote in favour of adding two officers focused on intimate partner violence.

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