Halifax Regional Council has approved a municipal budget that will see $833 million in total expenditures.
The 2021/22 budget also includes $173.8 million in provincial contributions and a capital plan of $177.9 million.
Debt is expected to be “as low as $241.2 million.”
“Our new Regional Council has worked well and collaboratively to deliver as much budget certainty as uncertain times allow,” said Mayor Mike Savage in a news release.
“Our goal was to strike an appropriate balance between responsibly managing tax rates and recognizing the need to invest in the programs, services and projects that are good for the economy and social development while creating communities where people increasingly choose to live.”
Key programs and capital projects include $900,000 for electric bus procurement, $3.3 million for active transportation projects, $1.3 million for implementation of the urban forestry plan, $3 million for road safety improvement and street calming, as well as $9 million for park recapitalization.