No raises, but potential spending increases at city council

City council is looking at spending an additional $47 million next year to help create jobs, but it's not giving any raises to top city managers.

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A vote on Monday willfreeze the salaries of 36 senior managers for 2016, amoveexpected to save several milliondollars.

Coun.WardSutherlandsays reduced revenues and the tough economic times mean the city can't afford to give any raises to its general managers and department directors next year.

"It's more than sending a message, it's dealing with reality," he said."The budget was decided four years in advance, as we approach 2017, that might be a conversation we need to have with different organizations: 'is everything realistic?'"

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The move doesn't affect a salary increase that's already been given to city manager Jeff Fielding.

He was recently voted a 3.2 per cent increase and a bonus of 8.5 per cent,based primarily on the $40million in efficiencies he's been able to find since taking over the top job last year.

Increased capital spending

Meanwhile, council will debate on Tuesday whether to follow through with plans for increasing capital spending in 2016, moving ahead on planned projects earlier than expected in order to help kickstart the economy.

It's estimated the boost to the city's capital spending plan will create 400 jobs, with the money coming from reserve funds.

"There's no increase whatsoever in property taxes as a result of this, but we feel that we can get more people to work and more good stuff built while things are cheap,the cost of borrowing is low, and unemployment is high," said Mayor NaheedNenshi.

The city says the additional money will be used for things like paving pathways, buying new firetrucks, upgrading buildings and improving some streets.