Calgary city council has approved a plan to boost its
capital spending by $47 million in 2016, primarily with a view to creating new
jobs in a tough economy.
City officials estimate the injection of funds
could create up to 400 jobs. These are projects which are part
of the city's four-year budget plan, but weren't supposed to start until
2017 or 2018.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi said 27 projects will now
get started in 2016 instead, as a type of stimulus spending.
"We have heard loud and clear from Calgarians that they
want their city government to do something in terms of this economic
downturn," Nenshi said.
"So we are able to accelerate some projects that are
already approved."
The projects to now start in 2016
include replacing fencing, paving pathways and parking lots
and upgrading a number of city buildings and the
West Hillhurst Community Association arena.
The mayor said the measures will do more than just create
construction jobs.
Those workers will continue to do things like buy lunches or
new work boots, all of which Nenshi says will help spread money
through the local economy.
Much of the money for the projects will come from city
savings but one thing it won't do is raise next year's property taxes.
"Everything we're talking about today is already
funded. It was just funded for 2017 or 2018 and we have
sufficient cash reserves to be able to accelerate that
without borrowing any more money in most cases,"
said Nenshi.
Earlier this fall, city council unanimously approved a property tax hike of 3.5 per cent for 2016. That
increase will add about $60 to the annual tax bill for a median-priced
Calgary house.
Councillors say they're pleased to advance work on 27
different capital projects and create jobs at the same time.
"I think the important piece in this is looking at how
we can get more projects done more quickly. We have a really good economic
stimulus tool that we can use and that's what today's about," said
Coun. Brian Pincott.
The additional money was just part of the massive $2.34
billion capital budget for 2016. City council voted 14-0 to finalize
the spending plan.
