Executive committee endorses proposed 2013 budget

Toronto’s executive committee has endorsed the 2013 budget ahead of final debate at city council next week.

The budget committee approved the 2013 operating and capital plans on Tuesday. This year’s $9.4-billion operating budget includes a two-per-cent residential property tax hike — 0.67 per cent for businesses — TTC fare and user fee increases and a significant investment in repairing the Gardiner and studying what should be done with the crumbling highway in the future.

The executive committee is chaired by Mayor Rob Ford, who was gunning for only a 1.75-per-cent property tax increase this year. He wants a freeze for 2014 and 2015.

“Two years ago, I was elected to reduce the size and cost of government and that’s what we’ve done,” Ford said.

“The 2013 Budget is the result of working together to make this city more responsible and stronger than ever. As well as holding the line on debt, we’ve found ways to save money while maintaining public services and infrastructure that make Toronto a fantastic place to live, work and invest.”

Coun. Shelley Carroll, a budget chief under former mayor David Miller, stormed out of the meeting due to the contentious “kiting” word used by budget chief Mike Del Grande when talking about how to use surplus cash. The term that sometimes references making use of non-existent funds or a form of cheque fraud.

“There is a belief, just on the surplus, that somehow we can use that money because it’s more than what we thought to spend in the following year. In terms of accounting, in terms of the principle of kiting, can you please address that?” Del Grande asked the city’s deputy city manager.

Carroll interrupted the conversation to angrily react to the comment.

“There are too many people who don’t know what kiting means,” she said. “He is suggesting and characterizing people who are asking questions of a presentation of suggesting we break the law.”

She then left the committee room.

The Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association, which had continued its protests Thursday on $12 million in proposed cuts to its $369-million budget.  Although a Runnymede Road fire hall may still have to close, the executive committee approved Ford’s motion to moderately increase spending for fire and EMS, among other departments.

“Virtually every city program and agency has met the challenge of bringing a budget forward that has a zero-per-cent increase, achieving $186 million in savings realized from efficiency and cost saving measures that have a minimal impact on services,” said city manager Joe Pennachetti.

“As a result, the vast majority of the city’s services remain in place with modest enhancements of $15 million primarily for transit, fire services and emergency services.”

Toronto police are also being asked to hold the line on spending. Chief Bill Blair says he’ll be facing an $8.7-million shortfall if the proposed budget goes through and has warned of fewer cops on the street and police stations.

The budget committee also approved $505 million in improvements to the Gardiner Expressway as part of the 10-year capital plan. It also voted to resurrect an environmental assessment of the highway that was suspended two years ago to determine whether elevated parts of the Gardiner should be repaired or torn down.

Council meets Jan. 15-17 to discuss the budget.

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