(1)
Current Economic Downturn (Councillor Colley-Urquhart)
So
much has changed since 2014 November when Council passed The City’s four-year
budget. Can the City Manager provide an update on the impacts to The City
due to the predictions of 25,000 of people coming to Calgary and the current
economic downturn created by the falling price of oil, as well as advising
how Council will be engaged and informed on the issue going forward?
Jeff
Fielding, City Manager, responded that the current economic downturn was
unforeseen, rapid and significant, with impacts requiring immediate
attention. The Administrative Leadership Team has concentrated on the
priorities and will bring a report to Council on the economy in the next few
weeks.
City
Manager Fielding indicated the budget passed in 2014 November was based on
25,000 new residents coming to Calgary; however that figure can be adjusted as
The City continues to grow as in 15 of the last 20 years more than 20,000
individuals moved to Calgary. As directed by Council, a Savings Program was
established for both the operating and capital budgets and targets for those
programs will be established. City Manager Fielding advised that 10% of
positions within The City are limited-term (1500 positions) and 5% of all
positions are vacant (700 positions) which gives some flexibility but a
hiring freeze is not recommended at this time. City Manager Fielding explained
that 80% of gas prices are locked in for 2015, but asphalt has had a positive
impact on The City’s bottom line. City Manager Fielding advised an early
review of the budget is planned for the third quarter of 2015 and that a long-term
financial plan will go to Council in the fourth quarter of 2015.
City
Manager Fielding advised that Council should focus on initiatives such as
Build Calgary, which is being introduced this Friday to Council, the
Municipal Government Act and the City Charter, Growth Management, Transit
Oriented Development, Economic Conditions, CMLC, Transforming Planning and a
Budget Review in their Strategic Planning Meetings over the next year. These
initiatives can help diversify the local economy, create job opportunities in
the community and be more responsive to businesses coming into Calgary.
Mayor
Nenshi advised he has been working very closely with the City Manager and the
Administrative Leadership team and continues to believe that the 2015
operating budgets will not be impacted. The Mayor indicated he expects there
will be challenges with the capital budget as other orders of government
start to pull back funding. Mayor Nenshi said that Council needs to think
carefully about what can be deferred, self-financed or
debt-financed
and he is looking forward to continuing the discussions on the capital plan.
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