News Release

Halifax Regional Council Presented with Fiscal Framework for 2009/2010

(Tuesday, February 24, 2009) - Halifax Regional Council was presented with the 2009/2010 Fiscal Framework today. The Fiscal Framework provides Council with information that will help determine the direction for the 2009/2010 Budget. Once the Framework is approved in the coming weeks, development of the Budget will focus on HRM's economic future, investment in resources, and priorities for service delivery.

The Framework provides assumptions to help build a budget, and to seek Council's feedback on the level of services they want to see in the community. In the next few weeks, Council will be provided with information on the Municipality's Debt Policy and Transit's funding gap in order to provide direction on the 2009/2010 Budget.

"Today's Fiscal Framework presentation sets the stage for Council to learn more about influencing factors, and make an informed decision about our upcoming Budget," said Dan English, CAO of Halifax Regional Municipality. "In these times of economic uncertainty, we want to ensure that when the Fiscal Framework is approved, HRM is positioned to safeguard our future and is moving forward with the Business Planning and Budgeting process with a clear indication of expectations from both Council and the public." Once the Framework has been approved, staff will devise a more detailed plan for the 2009-2010 Budget. The 2009/2010 draft budget is scheduled to be tabled on April 21, 2009.

For more information and reports to Council, visit www.halifax.ca/budget

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Dan English
CAO, Halifax Regional Municipality
490-6430