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Three pools, two arenas on the chopping block as City of Edmonton recommends 2021 tax freeze

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Six City of Edmonton facilities are on the chopping block for permanent closure next year as part of a plan to freeze property taxes for the first time since 1997.

Eastglen, Scona and Oliver pools as well as Oliver and Tipton arenas have been recommended for closure, which would save the city $1.4 million in operating expenses this budget cycle as well as an estimated $26.6 million in future renewal costs. The city’s asphalt plant is also on the table for closure.

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These proposed closures, subject to a vote by council, are in addition to service level and workforce reductions on the table to reduce the 2021 budget by $64 million and provide a tax freeze for both residential and business properties. Before any proposed adjustments, the approved tax increase for 2021 is 3.2 per cent.

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Interim city manager Adam Laughlin said offering a zero per cent increase option was important because of the financial strain the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on Edmontonians.

“We are proposing a zero per cent tax increase because we understand the COVID-19 pandemic has hit our local economy hard and Edmonton businesses and households are facing real financial challenges. We believe that we play a role in making adjustments to our spending just as households and businesses have had to do,” Laughlin told reporters Thursday.

Interim City Manager Adam Laughlin introduces the proposed adjustments to the City of Edmonton’s 2021 operating and capital budgets on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020 in Edmonton. Greg Southam/Postmedia
Interim City Manager Adam Laughlin introduces the proposed adjustments to the City of Edmonton’s 2021 operating and capital budgets on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020 in Edmonton. Greg Southam/Postmedia Photo by Greg Southam Greg Southam /20091976A

The facilities up for closure stem from recommendations in the city’s program and service review which began in 2016. If the closures are approved, future plans for the facilities and surrounding land will be brought forward for council consideration.

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Many of the recreation facilities slated for closure have been discussed during previous budget deliberations, but have made the cut each time. Long-time Eastglen Leisure Centre supporter Joe Hewko said this proposal doesn’t shock him, but he is disappointed the city is taking an approach that impacts health and wellness access for residents in Bellevue and surrounding neighbourhoods.

“We proposed to the city to change the focus to something innovative in terms of wellness orientation and we figured we could do that with very limited if any capital expenditure at the time,” he said. “I’m disappointed that the suggestion and recommendation on the importance of health and wellness didn’t appear to have been taken into account.”

Aside from the closures, the city is proposing savings of $13.2 million for several ongoing service level adjustments as well as $18.2 million through workforce strategies, including layoffs and a reduction in supervisory positions.

“The proposed budget will mean some service reductions and related staffing reductions,” Laughlin said. “This includes reductions to low-use facilities or low-use service time periods. In other words, services that require the most subsidy to use.”

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One recommendation before council is to change the frequency of some of the city’s new bus routes when they come into effect next April. To save $947,000 in 2021, the city is proposing a reduction in service hours for peak and rapid routes on the new bus network. This is expected to reduce service by 25,059 hours annually and over the long term reduce the city’s fleet size by 10 buses. Some residents would need to wait an additional five minutes for service as a result of the reduction.

City-run celebrations would also be different if council approves a $196,000 budget reduction for events. Programming for Canada Day and New Year’s Eve celebrations are on the chopping block with plans to host only one fireworks show per event. The city is also proposing a later start to the outdoor swimming season with pools staying closed in May and June. Fees are also on the table for reinstatement for those 12 and older after outdoor pools were free since 2017.

For the city’s workforce, Laughlin said a reduction in 338 full-time equivalents (FTEs) has been budgeted for 2021, which will be met through a combination of vacancy management and layoffs. The proposed budget adjustments also incorporates a reduction in supervisory positions by 108.3 FTEs, equating to 5.8 per cent. This follows a city audit recommendation to reduce management levels after a 21 per cent increase over three years.

The public will get a chance to weigh in on the recommendations during a public hearing Dec. 3. Council will then deliberate and vote on the budgets Dec. 9 and 11.

duscook@postmedia.com

twitter.com/dustin_cook3

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