WATCH ABOVE: The wish lists are out, but not everything will make the cut. Council had its first look at what could be built in our city over the next four years. Vinesh Pratap reports.
EDMONTON – City council got its first look at the 2015 to 2018 Capital Budget Tuesday morning.
The proposal calls for $4.3 billion in spending on a variety of infrastructure projects over the next four years.
Because of carry-over from ongoing projects like Rogers Place and the Valley Line LRT expansion, $1.6 billion has already been approved.
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There are more than 150 projects on the wish list, including: new and upgraded libraries, fire stations, a police division and a transit garage, and neighbourhood infrastructure like sidewalks and streetscapes.
“If we say yes to a project in capital, we know that in two, three, five years that’s going to mean we’re going to have to increase the operational budget,” said Tony Caterina, Ward 7 Councillor.
There is a 5.3 per cent proposed tax increase for 2015, which covers both city operations and the Neighbourhood Renewal Program.
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A public hearing on the capital budget is schedule for later in November, with deliberations continuing into December.