Nenshi Proposes Salary And Savings Freeze

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi suggested freezing some city hall salaries to reduce a proposed property tax increase, but most councillors, instead, want to use the city's $52 million tax surplus towards property taxes, which would eliminate a hike.

As council debates the city's 2014 budget, a 6.1 per cent property tax hike is being considered.

Nenshi proposed putting some councillors and staff on a salary freeze , along with finding $17 million in savings, to bring the tax increase down to 4.9 per cent, CBC reports.

"It's a $3 billion budget so if we can't find $17 million in efficiencies then that's a problem. And as Wholesale Packers Jerseys you know, every year I try to call at the end of the budget for a little across the board reduction and I usually lose, but I think that those are good to actually push efficiency," he said.

The majority of councillors want to see a tax freeze, or even a tax cut instead, by scrapping Calgary's $52 million tax surplus. That would get rid of the proposed 6.1 per cent hike and mean an approximately one per cent reduction on next year's bill, according to the Calgary Herald. It would also lower property tax increases for business to 4.5 per cent.

Nenshi recommended the money be used to help pay for flood related repairs. In a memo to councillors, Nenshi said it is "dishonest" to tell citizens that $52 million is being returned to them, and at the same time inform them of a $70 million increase in fees in flood recovery costs.

Nine out of 14 councillors want to return the $52 million tax surplus, according to the Calgary Herald.

Alberta Premier Alison Redford thanks Capt. Jill Bristow for rescue and relief efforts by her and 2,200 Canadian Forces members in Southern Alberta. Bristow, a pilot with 417 Squadron in Cold Lake, and the rest of her chopper crew pulled people from raging floodwaters in High River on June 20, 2013.

A young girl hugs a Calgary police officer. " It's going to be ok," said one Twitter comment in response to the photo. Some commented on how the girl had done what many wanted to do to show their thanks.

Kevan Yaets crawled out the back window of his pick up truck with his cat Momo as the flood waters swept him downstream after submerging his truck in High River, Alberta on Thursday, June 20, 2013 after the Highwood River overflowed its banks.

Yeats later said he had no idea the cat would plunge into the water and nimbly swim across a flooded street to dry land.

Christine Bierman and Mickey Cimolai drive away through Canmore flood waters surrounding their rented condo. The couple had planned to get married the weekend of the flood, and almost called it off, until the community encouraged them to go ahead with it.

When the city of Calgary requested a few volunteers show up for cleanup efforts after the flood, thousands showed up instead.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said when touring the flooded region, "I've seen a little bit of flooding in Calgary before," he said. "I don't think any of us have seen anything like this."

Edmonton police officers arrived in Calgary to offer their support.

Alberta Premier Alison Redford runs into superman, also known as Jackson, who had been wearing the outfit for two days because he heard people were in trouble. "He just happened to be taking a break from saving the world when he ran into Premier Redford. Thank you, Jackson, for making today a little happier for all of us," a statement on Redford's Facebook account read.

Krystal Lelond of Black Diamond clutches her cat Pipi after being evacuated from her home after the Sheep River overflowed its banks.

Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi runs into three young helpers who are raising funds for Red Cross by selling lemonade and cookies.

Volunteers from AMP90.3 bring coffee to Edmonton Police Officers who headed to Calgary to help their neighbours.

A Tim Hortons gift card is left on the window of a police cruiser in Calgary.

Alberta Premier Alison Redford reacts to the devastating aftermath Wholesale Jerseys of the flood.

Cookies along with a thank you card are left on a police cruiser in Calgary.

A convoy of military vehicles makes its way through a flooded highway before heading in to the flood zone in High River, Alta. on Saturday June 22, 2013 after the Highwood River overflowed its banks.

Aerial photos of Canmore and Calgary flooding:

A washed out foot bridge lies on the creek bed in Canmore, Alta. Friday, June 21, 2013.

Flood waters surround the hospital in Canmore, Alta. on Friday, June 21, 2013.

Flood waters surround buildings in Canmore, www.wholesalecheappackersjerseys.com Alta. Friday, June 21, 2013.

Cougar Creek runs through the Trans Canada Highway during heavy floods in Canmore, Alta. Cheap Jerseys Friday, June 21, 2013.

Cougar Creek runs through the Trans Canada Highway during heavy floods in Canmore, Alta. Friday, June 21, 2013.