BUDGET COMMITTEE (STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ON BUDGET)

MINUTES

Tuesday, April 08, 2025 at 10:00 A.m. - 11:00 A.m.

Council Chamber, 3rd Floor City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street, Halifax

Present:

• Councillor Cathy Deagle Gammon, Chair
• Mayor Andy Fillmore
• Deputy Mayor Tony Mancini
• Councillor David Hendsbee
• Councillor Sam Austin
• Councillor Laura White
• Councillor Virginia Hinch
• Councillor Shawn Cleary
• Councillor Kathryn Morse
• Councillor Patty Cuttell
• Councillor Janet Steele
• Councillor Nancy Hartling
• Councillor John Young
• Councillor Billy Gillis
• Councillor Jean St-Amand

Regrets:

• Councillor Becky Kent
• Councillor Trish Purdy

Staff:

• John Traves, K.C., CD, Municipal Solicitor/Chief Governance Officer
• Iain MacLean, Municipal Clerk
• Cathie O’Toole, Chief Administrative Officer
• Olawumi Odeyinka-Apantaku, Legislative Assistant

The following does not represent a verbatim record of the proceedings of this meeting. 

The agenda, reports, supporting documents information items circulated and video (if available) are online at halifax.ca. 

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1.

CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m. and acknowledged that the meeting took place in the traditional and ancestral territory of the Mi'kmaq people, and that we are all treaty people. 

2.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - February 26 & March 19, 2025

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MOVED by Councillor Steele, seconded by Councillor Cuttell

THAT the minutes of February 26, 2025 & March 19, 2025 be approved as circulated. 

MOTION PUT AND PASSED. 

3.

APPROVAL OF THE ORDER OF BUSINESS AND APPROVAL OF ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS

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Additions: None

4.

CALL FOR DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

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None

5.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

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The Chair reviewed the rules of procedure for public hearings. The Chair noted there were no registered speakers and called three times for any other members of the public wishing to speak.

6.

2025/2026 Budget

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The following was before Budget Committee:

• Staff report dated April 4, 2025

Cathie O'Toole, Chief Administrative Officer made a verbal presentation and expressed appreciation for the Budget Committee's efforts.

MOVED by Deputy Mayor Mancini, seconded by Councillor Gillis

THAT Budget Committee recommends that Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:

1. Adopt the Resolution for Approval of Operating Budgets, Capital Plan and Tax Rates for Fiscal 2025/26 as set out in Schedule 1 of the staff report dated April 4, 2025.

2. Approve the attached Resolution to approve Area Rates and Uniform Charges for fiscal year 2025/26, as well as the Schedules of Area Tax Rates and Budgeted Revenues as set out in Schedule 2 of the staff report dated April 4, 2025; and

3. Adopt the amendments to Administrative Order 2018-003-ADM, Respecting Private Road Maintenance, as set out in Attachment F of the staff report dated April 4, 2025.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED. (12 in favour, 3 against) 

In favour: Budget Committee Chair Deagle Gammon, Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Mancini, Councillors Hendsbee, Austin, Morse, Cuttell, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand

Against: Councillors Cleary, Hinch and White

Not present: Councillors Kent and Purdy

7.

IN CAMERA (IN PRIVATE)

7.1

In Camera (In Private) Minutes - March 19, 2025 Budget Committee

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This matter was dealt with in public.

MOVED by Councillor Austin, seconded by Councillor Deputy Mayor Mancini

THAT the minutes of March 19, 2025 be approved as circulated. 

MOTION PUT AND PASSED.

8.

ADJOURNMENT

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The meeting was adjourned at 10:13 a.m.