Ottawa councillors balk at city budget-trim proposals

A promised zero per cent tax increase for Ottawa may be difficult to implement, given that some councillors are balking atproposals for closing a $105-million budget shortfall, says the city's treasurer.

Marian Simulik said city staff have offered suggestionsthat couldreduce the proposed 2007 budget by $56 million almost half of whatis needed to keep Mayor Larry O'Brien's promise to freeze taxes this year.

But some councillors say they don't want to give up programs that staff propose trimming, and Simulik said that poses a challenge.

"If they come forward and basically gate off a number of areas for us to look at, that'll make it more difficult."

Coun. Alex Cullen said he is opposed to astaff proposal to put off some city service enhancements approved by the previous council.

"Things like the community bus pass, things like the snow-go program are not on my chopping block," he said.

Others such as Coun. Clive Doucetmaintain they don't think a tax freeze is possible.

"There are ways to save money, but they're not zero," he said. "If we could bring in a budget with a five or six per cent increase, cutting no services, adding a bit more to the city, I think that would be an accomplishment."

The preliminary staff plan suggests the city:

• Take $9 million from a reserve fund set aside for difficult budgets.
• Put $11 million intended for light rail transit toward the current transit system.
• Demand $16 million from the province to cover what the city calls a cost-sharing shortfall.
• Put off $20 million in city service enhancements approved by the previous council.

Staff suggested in December that there would be a city budget shortfall of $95 million, or $105 million if the separate police budget increase is included. The draft budget is scheduled to be tabled on Feb. 7 and the finalbudget must be approved by councilat the end of that month.