Council reverses proposed budget cuts to CPS, transit

Concerns over proposed cuts to transit and the Calgary Police Service (CPS) have been put to rest.

As budget deliberations continue Thursday, at City Hall, council approved a $20.8 million increase for CPS on Wednesday. The increase equals a 0.8 per cent increase on tax bills.

Administration had recommended cutting $4.7 million from transit, but council approved $4 million for its budget as well as taking $4 million from the rainy day fund to cover the cost of low income passes.

The $14.3 million police budget increase, which will pave the way for body-worn cameras and 48 new hires, was nearly unanimous; only George Chahal voted against it.

He was joined by Joe Maglioca and Druh Farrell on the ‘no’ side when it came to restoring $6.5 million in proposed cuts.

Chahal is concerned council doesn’t have more say in how the police spends it’s budget, but Mayor Naheed Nenshi argued politicians should not be telling a civilian police force what to do.

Even with the extra money, Nenshi said it’s important police continue to find efficiencies. He suggested policy makers would benefit from a zero-based review.

“However, we also understand that we cannot continue a hiring freeze on police as the city continues to grow, and as the officer workloads become stretched,” he said.

The transit votes were much closer, with each part only passing by one vote.

All told, the budget approved budget increases shouldn’t mean a tax increase this year, but could lead to one next year, if the city can’t find the $4 million to cover the low income transit pass again.

Council is expected to vote on the final budget Thursday.