The following was before Budget Committee:
- Staff report dated November 12, 2026
- Correspondence from Wayne Fiander, Kimm Kent, Bill Macgregor, Russ Oickle, Jenny Fraser, Brian Peacock, Greg Patterson
- Staff presentation dated November 19, 2025
Brad Anguish, Acting Chief Administrative Officer gave introductory remarks for the 2026/27 budget.
Dave Harley, Director Accounting & Financial Reporting gave a presentation.
MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor Steele
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to continue to develop the 2026/27 Budget according to Council's approved priorities, and preliminary fiscal direction outlined on July 8, 2025.
Harley, Anguish, Jerry Blackwood, Executive Director of Finance and Asset Management/Chief Financial Officer and Daniel Freeman, Senior Financial Consultant responded to questions of clarification from Budget Committee.
MOVED by Councillor Purdy, seconded by Councillor Gillis
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to review capital renewal spending including revisiting previous council decisions that have not yet been operationalized and have no contractual commitments. This could include decisions from the 2025/26 budget or within the current fiscal year that staff have not yet put into action.
Crystal Nowlan, Director Asset Management and Anguish responded to questions of clarification from Budget Committee.
Councillor Purdy proposed that the motion be amended to include debt funding. As provided for in section 53 (2) of Administrative Order One, Respecting the Procedures of the Council, the amendment was accepted as friendly.
The motion now read:
MOVED by Councillor Purdy, seconded by Councillor Gillis
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to review capital renewal spending and capital spending funded by debt, as well as revisiting previous council decisions that have not yet been operationalized and have no contractual commitments. This could include decisions from the 2025/26 budget or within the current fiscal year that staff have not yet put into action.
Harley, Nowlan and Blackwood responded to questions of clarification from Budget Committee.
As provided for in section 90 of Administrative Order One, Respecting the Procedures of the Council, the motion was separated for voting purposes.
MOVED by Councillor Purdy, seconded by Councillor Gillis
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to review:
1. Capital spending funded by debt as well as revisiting previous council decisions that have not yet been operationalized and have no contractual commitments. This could include decisions from the 2025/26 budget or within the current fiscal year that staff have not yet put into action.
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND PASSED. (15 in favour, 1 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, Austin, White, Cleary, Morse, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Councillor Hinch
Not present: Councillor Mancini
MOVED by Councillor Purdy, seconded by Councillor Gillis
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to review:
2. Capital renewal spending.
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND PASSED. (13 in favour, 3 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, Austin, Cleary, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Councillors White, Hinch, Morse
Not present: Councillor Mancini
Harley, Blackwood and John Traves, K.C., CD, Municipal Solicitor/Chief Governance Officer responded to questions of clarification from Budget Committee.
MOVED by Mayor Fillmore, seconded by Councillor Gillis
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare options to reduce the 2026/27 budget by:
1. Proposing reductions to services;
2. Reducing Contribution Agreements and Grants funding;
3. Proposing fines and fee increases;
4. Analyzing staffing levels;
5. Reviewing previous council decisions that have not yet been operationalized (including from 2025/26); and
6. Adopting the service reductions included in attachment 1.
AND that Chief Administrative Officer provide a briefing note for an under-budget adjustment on the Budget Adjustment List, with options for Budget Committee:
1. A 10% cut to program grants;
2. Freezing contribution agreements to 2025/2026 contribution levels;
3. Reducing the Strategic Infrastructure and Climate Funding by one-third; and
4. The cost/benefit of a hiring freeze.
Blackwood and Harley responded to questions of clarification from Budget Committee.
As provided for in section 90 of Administrative Order One, Respecting the Procedures of the Council, the motion was separated for voting purposes.
MOVED by Mayor Fillmore, seconded by Councillor Gillis
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare options to reduce the 2026/27 budget by:
1. Proposing reductions to services;
3. Proposing fines and fee increases;
4. Analyzing staffing levels; and
5. Reviewing previous council decisions that have not yet been operationalized (including from 2025/26).
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND PASSED. (14 in favour, 1 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, White, Hinch, Morse, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Councillor Austin
Not present: Councillors Mancini, Cleary
MOVED by Mayor Fillmore, seconded by Councillor Gillis
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare options to reduce the 2026/27 budget by:
2. Reducing Contribution Agreements and Grants funding.
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND PASSED. (11 in favour, 4 against)
In favour: Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Kent, Purdy, White, Hinch, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Councillors Hendsbee, Austin, Morse
Not present: Councillors Mancini, Cleary
MOVED by Mayor Fillmore, seconded by Councillor Gillis
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare options to reduce the 2026/27 budget by:
6. Adopting the service reductions included in attachment 1 (weekly summer organics collection July through September).
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND DEFEATED. (5 in favour, 10 against)
In favour: Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors White, Young, Gillis
Against: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, Austin, Hinch, Morse, Steele, Hartling, St-Amand
Not present: Councillors Mancini, Cleary
MOVED by Mayor Fillmore, seconded by Councillor Gillis
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare options to reduce the 2026/27 budget by:
6. Adopting the service reductions included in attachment 1 (Public WiFi Service).
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND PASSED. (14 in favour, 1 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, Austin, White, Hinch, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Councillor Morse
Not present: Councillors Mancini, Cleary
MOVED by Mayor Fillmore, seconded by Councillor Gillis
AND that Chief Administrative Officer provide a briefing note for an under-budget adjustment on the Budget Adjustment List, with options for Budget Committee:
1. A 10% cut to program grants.
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND PASSED. (8 in favour, 7 against)
In favour: Mayor Fillmore, Councillors Kent, Purdy, White, Hinch, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Hendsbee, Austin, Morse, Steele, Hartling
Not present: Councillors Mancini, Cleary
MOVED by Mayor Fillmore, seconded by Councillor Gillis
AND that Chief Administrative Officer provide a briefing note for an under-budget adjustment on the Budget Adjustment List, with options for Budget Committee:
2. Freezing contribution agreements to 2025/2026 contribution levels.
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND PASSED. (13 in favour, 2 against)
In favour: Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, Austin, White, Morse, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Councillor Hinch
Not present: Councillors Mancini, Cleary
MOVED by Mayor Fillmore, seconded by Councillor Gillis
AND that Chief Administrative Officer provide a briefing note for an under-budget adjustment on the Budget Adjustment List, with options for Budget Committee:
3. Reducing the Strategic Infrastructure and Climate Funding by one-third.
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND PASSED. (9 in favour, 6 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Mayor Fillmore, Councillors Hendsbee, Purdy, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Kent, Austin, White, Hinch, Morse
Not present: Councillors Mancini, Cleary
MOVED by Mayor Fillmore, seconded by Councillor Gillis
AND that Chief Administrative Officer provide a briefing note for an under-budget adjustment on the Budget Adjustment List, with options for Budget Committee:
4. The cost/benefit of a hiring freeze.
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND PASSED. (14 in favour, 1 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, White, Hinch, Morse, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Councillor Austin
Not present: Councillors Mancini, Cleary
MOVED by Councillor Austin, seconded by Councillor Hartling
THAT the motion be amended to include item SER_020 from the staff report dated November 12, 2026, as a new section that reads as follows:
1. Include item SER_020 Beach Rural Program as a service enhancement of $205,000 as part of the 26/27 proposed budget.
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND PASSED. (15 in favour, 1 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, Austin, White, Hinch, Cleary, Morse, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Mayor Fillmore
Not present: Councillor Mancini
MOVED by Councillor Kent, seconded by Councillor Gillis
THAT the motion be amended to include item SER_002 from the staff report dated November 12, 2026, as a new section that reads as follows:
1. Include item SER_002 Royal Canadian Mounted Police Halifax Reginal Detachment (RCMP HRD) as a service enhancement of $972,400 as part of the 26/27 proposed budget.
Superintendent Don Moser, Halifax Regional Police and Bill Moore, Commissioner of Public Safety responded to questions of clarification from Budget Committee.
As provided for in section 90 of Administrative Order One, Respecting the Procedures of the Council, the motion was separated for voting purposes.
MOVED by Councillor Kent, seconded by Councillor Gillis
THAT the motion be amended to include item SER_002 from the staff report dated November 12, 2026, as a new section that reads as follows:
1. Include item SER_002 Royal Canadian Mounted Police Halifax Reginal Detachment (RCMP HRD) as a service enhancement of $217,000 for intimate partner violence (2 positions) as part of the 26/27 proposed budget.
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND PASSED. (13 in favour, 3 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, Austin, White, Hinch, Morse, Hartling, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Councillors Cleary, Steele, Young
Not present: Councillor Mancini
MOVED by Councillor Kent, seconded by Councillor Gillis
THAT the motion be amended to include item SER_002 from the staff report dated November 12, 2026, as a new section that reads as follows:
1. Include item SER_002 Royal Canadian Mounted Police Halifax Reginal Detachment (RCMP HRD) as a service enhancement of $755,400 for Enhanced RCMP Services (7 positions) as part of the 26/27 proposed budget.
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND DEFEATED. (7 in favour, 9 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, Hartling, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Austin, White, Hinch, Cleary, Morse, Steele, Young
Not present: Councillor Mancini
Harley responded to questions of clarification from Budget Committee.
MOVED by Councillor Hartling, seconded by Councillor White
THAT the motion be amended to include item SER_001 from the staff report dated November 12, 2026, as a new section that reads as follows:
1. Include item SER_001, as a service enhancement of $3,000,000 for the Risk Reserve as part of the 26/27 proposed budget.
Tyler Higgins, Manager, Budget & Reserves, Harley, Blackwood and Traves responded to questions of clarification from Budget Committee.
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND PASSED. (10 in favour, 6 against)
In favour: Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Austin, White, Hinch, Cleary, Morse, Hartling, Young, St-Amand
Against: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Purdy, Steele, Gillis
Not present: Councillor Mancini
Harley and Moore responded to questions of clarification from the Budget Committee.
MOVED by Councillor Austin, seconded by Councillor Kent
THAT the motion be amended to include item SER_009 from the staff report dated November 12, 2026, as a new section that reads as follows:
1. Include item SER_009 Research and Development Division of Community Safety as a service enhancement of $198,300 to maintain existing service levels as part of the 26/27 proposed budget.
Rachel Boehm, Executive Director, Community Safety and Moore responded to questions of clarification from Budget Committee.
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND PASSED. (11 in favour, 5 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Austin, White, Hinch, Cleary, Morse, Hartling, St-Amand
Against: Mayor Fillmore, Councillors Purdy, Steele, Young, Gillis
Not present: Councillor Mancini
MOVED by Councillor White, seconded to Councillor Morse
THAT the motion be amended to include item SER_021 from the staff report dated November 12, 2026, as a new section that reads as follows:
1. Include item SER_021 Scotia Square Terminal and Mumford Terminal as a service enhancement of $373,700 for security as part of the 26/27 proposed budget.
Robin Gerus, Executive Director, Halifax Transit Services, Moore and Higgins responded to questions of clarification from Budget Committee.
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND DEFEATED. (6 in favour, 9 against)
In favour: Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Austin, White, Morse, Steele, Hartling
Against: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Mayor Fillmore, Councillors Hendsbee, Purdy, Hinch, Cleary, Gillis, St-Amand, Young
Not present: Councillors Kent, Mancini
The meeting recessed at 4:15 p.m. on November 19, 2025 and reconvened at 9:30 a.m. on November 21, 2025.
MOVED by Councillor Morse, seconded by Councillor Cleary
THAT the Budget Committee request the Chief Administrative Officer to request a Briefing Note outlining revenue generated by HRM’s development fees and related contributions as well as the value to HRM of those development fees if increased to the average of Canadian municipalities and any implications with respect to the legislated municipal development fee freeze.
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Not present: Councillors Mancini, Hartling
Blackwood responded to question of clarification from Budget Committee.
MOVED by Councillor Morse, seconded by Councillor White
THAT the Budget Committee request the Chief Administrative Officer to request a Briefing Note outlining options to expand HRM’s Affordable Access program including expanding the qualifying criteria and income threshold for the Property Tax Exemption and Deferral Program.
Blackwood responded to questions of clarification from Budget Committee.
As provided for in section 66 of Administrative Order One, Respecting the Procedures of the Council, the motion was withdrawn with consent of Halifax Regional Council.
MOVED by Councillor Gillis, seconded by Councillor Hartling
THAT the motion be amended to include item SER_023 from the staff report dated November 12, 2026, as a new section that reads as follows:
1. Include item SER_023 Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency as a service enhancement of $430,100 for 20 career firefighters to be staff at Stations 9 and 11 as part of the 26/27 proposed budget.
Acting Chief Dave Meldrum, Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency, Harley, Anguish and Blackwood responded to questions from clarification from Budget Committee.
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND DEFEATED. (5 in favour, 10 against)
In favour: Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Hartling, Young, Gillis
Against: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Purdy, Austin, White, Hinch, Cleary, Morse, Steele, St-Amand
Not present: Mayor Fillmore, Councillor Mancini
MOVED by Councillor Gillis, seconded by Councillor Hartling
THAT the motion be amended to include item SER_023 from the staff report, as a new section that reads as follows:
1. Include item SER_023 Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency of $430,100 for 20 career firefighters to be staff at Stations 9 and 11 to be considered as an option over as part of the 2026/27 Budget Adjustment List.
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND PASSED. (15 in favour, 1 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, Austin, White, Hinch, Cleary, Morse, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Mayor Fillmore
Not present: Councillor Mancini
MOVED by Councillor White, seconded by Councillor Morse
THAT the motion be amended to include item SER_024 from the staff report dated November 12, 2026, as a new section that reads as follows:
1. Include item SER_024 Volunteer Outreach and Recruitment Assistant as a service enhancement of $53,400 as part of the 26/27 proposed budget.
Meldrum responded to questions of clarification from Budget Committee.
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND PASSED. (14 in favour, 2 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Austin, White, Hinch, Cleary, Morse, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Mayor Fillmore, Councillor Purdy
Not present: Councillor Mancini
MOVED by Councillor White, seconded by Councillor Purdy
THAT the motion be amended to include item SER_021 from the staff report, as a new section that reads as follows:
1. Include item SER_021 Scotia Square Terminal and Mumford Terminal of $373,700 to be considered as an option over as part of the 2026/27 Budget Adjustment List.
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND PASSED. (13 in favour, 3 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, Austin, White, Hinch, Cleary, Morse, Steele, Hartling, St-Amand
Against: Mayor Fillmore, Councillors Young, Gillis
Not present: Councillor Mancini
MOVED by Councillor Kent, seconded by Councillor Purdy
THAT the motion be amended to include item SER_002 from the staff report, as a new section that reads as follows:
1. Include item SER_002 Royal Canadian Mounted Police Halifax Regional Detachment of 755,400 as an RCMP Service Enhancement as an option over as part of the 2026/27 Budget Adjustment List.
Harley responded to questions of clarification from Budget Committee.
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND PASSED. (11 in favour, 5 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, Austin, White, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Cleary, Hinch, Morse
Not present: Councillor Mancini
Harley and Freeman responded to questions of clarification from Budget Committee.
MOVED by Councillor Austin, seconded by Councillor Steele
THAT the motion be amended to include item SER_018 from the staff report dated November 12, 2026, as a new section that reads as follows:
1. Include item SER_018 Culture and Community team as a service enhancement of $135,000 for one FTE to advance the strategy's objectives and specified deliverables as part of the 26/27 proposed budget.
Kellie McIvor, Director Strategic Planning & Design responded to questions of clarification from Budget Committee.
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND PASSED. (10 in favour, 6 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Austin, White, Hinch, Morse, Steele, Hartling, St-Amand
Against: Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Purdy, Cleary, Young, Gillis
Not present: Councillor Mancini
Freeman and Blackwood responded to questions of clarification from Budget Committee.
The question was called on the main motion as amended:
MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor Steele
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to continue to develop the 2026/27 Budget according to Council's approved priorities, and preliminary fiscal direction outlined on July 8, 2025, as amended:
- That the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to review capital renewal spending and capital spending funded by debt, as well as revisiting previous council decisions that have not yet been operationalized and have no contractual commitments. This could include decisions from the 2025/26 budget or within the current fiscal year that staff have not yet put into action.
- That the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare options to reduce the 2026/27 budget by:
-
- Proposing reductions to services;
- Reducing Contribution Agreements and Grants funding;
- Proposing fines and fee increases;
- Analyzing staffing levels; and
- Reviewing previous council decisions that have not yet been operationalized (including from 2025/26).
- That the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to provide a briefing note for an under-budget adjustment on the Budget Adjustment List, with options for Budget Committee:
-
- A 10% cut to program grants;
- Freezing contribution agreements to 2025/2026 contribution levels;
- Reducing the Strategic Infrastructure and Climate Funding by one-third; and
- The cost/benefit of a hiring freeze.
And that the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to include:
- item SER_022 Public Wifi Service as a service reduction of $450,000;
- item SER_020 Beach Rural Program as a service enhancement of $205,000;
- a portion of item SER_002 Royal Canadian Mounted Police Halifax Reginal Detachment (RCMP HRD) as a service enhancement of $217,000 for intimate partner violence (2 positions);
- item SER_001 Sustainable Funding and HRM’s Reserve as a service enhancement of $3,000,000 for the Risk Reserve;
- item SER_009 Research and Development Division of Community Safety as a service enhancement of $198,300 to maintain existing service levels;
- item SER_024 Volunteer Outreach and Recruitment Assistant as a service enhancement of $53,400; and
- item SER_018 Culture and Community team as a service enhancement of $135,000 for one FTE to advance the strategy’s objectives and specified deliverables
as part of the 26/27 proposed budget.
And that the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to include:
- item SER_023 Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency of $430,100 for 20 career firefighters to be staffed at Stations 9 and 11;
- item SER_021 Scotia Square Terminal and Mumford Terminal of $373,700 for enhanced security; and
- item SER_002 Royal Canadian Mounted Police Halifax Regional Detachment of $755,400 as an RCMP HRD Service Enhancement
to be considered as options over as part of the 2026/27 Budget Adjustment List.
- That the Budget Committee direct Chief Administrative Officer to request a Briefing Note outlining revenue generated by HRM’s development fees and related contributions as well as the value to HRM of those development fees if increased to the average of Canadian municipalities and any implications with respect to the legislated municipal development fee freeze.
Traves responded to questions of clarification from Budget Committee.
As provided for in section 90 of Administrative Order One, Respecting the Procedures of the Council, the motion was separated for voting purposes.
MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor Steele
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to continue to develop the 2026/27 Budget according to Council's approved priorities, and preliminary fiscal direction outlined on July 8, 2025, as amended:
- That the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to review capital renewal spending and capital spending funded by debt, as well as revisiting previous council decisions that have not yet been operationalized and have no contractual commitments. This could include decisions from the 2025/26 budget or within the current fiscal year that staff have not yet put into action.
MOTION AS AMENDED PUT AND PASSED. (14 in favour, 2 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, Austin, Cleary, Morse, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Councillors White, Hinch
Not present: Councillor Mancini
MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor Steele
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to continue to develop the 2026/27 Budget according to Council's approved priorities, and preliminary fiscal direction outlined on July 8, 2025, as amended:
- That the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare options to reduce the 2026/27 budget by:
-
- Proposing reductions to services;
- Reducing Contribution Agreements and Grants funding;
- Proposing fines and fee increases;
- Analyzing staffing levels; and
- Reviewing previous council decisions that have not yet been operationalized (including from 2025/26).
MOTION AS AMENDED PUT AND PASSED. (15 in favour, 1 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, White, Hinch, Cleary, Morse, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Councillor Austin
Not present: Councillor Mancini
MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor Steele
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to continue to develop the 2026/27 Budget according to Council's approved priorities, and preliminary fiscal direction outlined on July 8, 2025, as amended:
- That the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to provide a briefing note for an under-budget adjustment on the Budget Adjustment List, with options for Budget Committee:
-
- A 10% cut to program grants;
- Freezing contribution agreements to 2025/2026 contribution levels;
- Reducing the Strategic Infrastructure and Climate Funding by one-third; and
- The cost/benefit of a hiring freeze.
MOTION AS AMENDED PUT AND PASSED. (12 in favour, 4 against)
In favour: Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, Hinch, Cleary, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Councillors Austin, White, Morse
Not present: Councillor Mancini
MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor Steele
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to continue to develop the 2026/27 Budget according to Council's approved priorities, and preliminary fiscal direction outlined on July 8, 2025, as amended:
And that the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to include:
- item SER_022 Public WiFi Service as a service reduction of $450,000 as part of the 26/27 proposed budget.
MOTION AS AMENDED PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Not present: Councillor Mancini
MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor Steele
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to continue to develop the 2026/27 Budget according to Council's approved priorities, and preliminary fiscal direction outlined on July 8, 2025, as amended:
And that the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to include:
- item SER_020 Beach Rural Program as a service enhancement of $205,000 as part of the 26/27 proposed budget.
MOTION AS AMENDED PUT AND PASSED. (11 in favour, 5 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Hendsbee, Purdy, Austin, White, Hinch, Morse, Steele, Hartling, St-Amand
Against: Mayor Fillmore, Councillor Kent, Cleary, Young, Gillis
Not present: Councillor Mancini
MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor Steele
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to continue to develop the 2026/27 Budget according to Council's approved priorities, and preliminary fiscal direction outlined on July 8, 2025, as amended:
And that the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to include:
- a portion of item SER_002 Royal Canadian Mounted Police Halifax Reginal Detachment (RCMP HRD) as a service enhancement of $217,000 for intimate partner violence (2 positions) as part of the 26/27 proposed budget.
MOTION AS AMENDED PUT AND PASSED. (15 in favour, 1 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, Austin, White, Hinch, Morse, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Councillor Cleary
Not present: Councillor Mancini
MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor Steele
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to continue to develop the 2026/27 Budget according to Council's approved priorities, and preliminary fiscal direction outlined on July 8, 2025, as amended:
And that the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to include:
- item SER_001 Sustainable Funding and HRM’s Reserve as a service enhancement of $3,000,000 for the Risk Reserve as part of the 26/27 proposed budget.
MOTION AS AMENDED PUT AND PASSED. (12 in favour, 4 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Austin, White, Hinch, Cleary, Morse, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Purdy, Steele
Not present: Councillor Mancini
MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor Steele
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to continue to develop the 2026/27 Budget according to Council's approved priorities, and preliminary fiscal direction outlined on July 8, 2025, as amended:
And that the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to include:
- item SER_009 Research and Development Division of Community Safety as a service enhancement of $198,300 to maintain existing service levels as part of the 26/27 proposed budget.
MOTION AS AMENDED PUT AND PASSED. (11 in favour, 5 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Austin, White, Hinch, Cleary, Morse, Hartling, St-Amand
Against: Mayor Fillmore, Councillors Purdy, Steele, Young, Gillis
Not present: Councillor Mancini
MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor Steele
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to continue to develop the 2026/27 Budget according to Council's approved priorities, and preliminary fiscal direction outlined on July 8, 2025, as amended:
And that the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to include:
- item SER_024 Volunteer Outreach and Recruitment Assistant as a service enhancement of $53,400 as part of the 26/27 proposed budget.
MOTION AS AMENDED PUT AND PASSED. (14 in favour, 2 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Austin, White, Hinch, Cleary, Morse, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Mayor Fillmore, Councillor Purdy
Not present: Councillor Mancini
MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor Steele
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to continue to develop the 2026/27 Budget according to Council's approved priorities, and preliminary fiscal direction outlined on July 8, 2025, as amended:
And that the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to include:
- item SER_018 Culture and Community team as a service enhancement of $135,000 for one FTE to advance the strategy’s objectives and specified deliverables as part of the 26/27 proposed budget.
MOTION AS AMENDED PUT AND PASSED. (10 in favour, 6 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Austin, White, Hinch, Morse, Steele, Hartling, St-Amand
Against: Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Purdy, Cleary, Young, Gillis
Not present: Councillor Mancini
MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor Steele
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to continue to develop the 2026/27 Budget according to Council's approved priorities, and preliminary fiscal direction outlined on July 8, 2025, as amended:
And that the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to include:
- item SER_023 Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency of $430,100 for 20 career firefighters to be staffed at Stations 9 and 11 to be considered as an option over as part of the 2026/27 Budget Adjustment List.
MOTION AS AMENDED PUT AND PASSED. (13 in favour, 3 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, Austin, White, Hinch, Cleary, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillor Morse
Not present: Councillor Mancini
MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor Steele
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to continue to develop the 2026/27 Budget according to Council's approved priorities, and preliminary fiscal direction outlined on July 8, 2025, as amended:
And that the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to include:
- item SER_021 Scotia Square Terminal and Mumford Terminal of $373,700 for enhanced security to be considered as an option over as part of the 2026/27 Budget Adjustment List.
MOTION AS AMENDED PUT AND PASSED. (12 in favour, 4 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Kent, Purdy, Austin, White, Hinch, Cleary, Morse, Steele, Hartling, St-Amand
Against: Mayor Fillmore, Councillors Hendsbee, Young, Gillis
Not present: Councillor Mancini
MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor Steele
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to continue to develop the 2026/27 Budget according to Council's approved priorities, and preliminary fiscal direction outlined on July 8, 2025, as amended:
And that the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to include:
- item SER_002 Royal Canadian Mounted Police Halifax Regional Detachment of $755,400 as an RCMP HRD Service Enhancement to be considered as an option over as part of the 2026/27 Budget Adjustment List.
MOTION AS AMENDED PUT AND PASSED. (11 in favour, 5 against)
In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, Austin, White, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Hinch, Cleary, Morse
Not present: Councillor Mancini
MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor Steele
THAT the Budget Committee direct the Chief Administrative Officer to continue to develop the 2026/27 Budget according to Council's approved priorities, and preliminary fiscal direction outlined on July 8, 2025, as amended:
- And that the Budget Committee direct Chief Administrative Officer to request a Briefing Note outlining revenue generated by HRM’s development fees and related contributions as well as the value to HRM of those development fees if increased to the average of Canadian municipalities and any implications with respect to the legislated municipal development fee freeze.
MOTION AS AMENDED PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Not present: Councillor Mancini