EDMONTON – Edmonton city council returned to deliberations Monday morning for the public hearing on the city’s 2014 budget.
The public hearing is an opportunity for community groups and organizations to make a presentation to council about what they believe should be included in the budget.
Among the groups making funding requests are the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues which is asking for an additional $40,000, and Telus World of Science which is also seeking an additional $40,000.
“It helps support our daily operations to run Telus World of Science Edmonton. It’s a city owned facility, so the Edmonton Space and Science Foundation operates Telus World of Science in partnership with the city,” says Steve Baker, Telus World of Science.
Baker says the Telus World of Science request would be a two per cent increase from its 2013 budget.
About 24 community groups and organizations were scheduled to make presentations during the public hearing. There will not be any formal decisions made Monday.
The budget includes a proposed 5.5 per cent tax increase: four per cent towards a general tax increase for civic operations and an additional 1.5 per cent towards the Neighbourhood Renewal Program.
The numbers could change once council passes the final budget.
Council will deliberate the budget beginning on Dec. 2, with a final budget expected to be passed before the holiday break. For more on the budget timeline and process, click here.
Edmonton municipal budget process and taxes