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Council’s decision Monday was driven in part by city staff’s scramble to meet tight timelines on the Olympic file.

Staff are hoping to have funding commitments in place by September to ensure there is enough time for public engagement on the details of the three-government deal before a plebiscite on the Olympics can be held.

The public engagement program, initially planned to run from April to September, has been pushed back to a September start while representatives from different governments continue to work on a deal to fund the Games.

There were signs Monday that the truncated timelines are fraying nerves and dividing council.

“I have to say that my confidence in an Olympic bid is at an all-time low,” said Coun. Druh Farrell in chambers.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi told reporters following the meeting that the timing of an agreement will have consequences for a potential plebiscite.

“If those numbers are not clear on or around the middle of September, it’s hard for me to imagine how we have a plebiscite this autumn,” Nenshi said.

“If the province is really interested in doing this plebiscite in the autumn — which I’ll remind you is their condition — then a lot of stuff has to happen in order for that to happen.”

News of the Sep. 10 off-ramp comes as the board of directors of the Olympic bid corporation, Calgary 2026, prepares to announce the identity of the person who will ultimately lead the city’s bid.

Calgarians will learn who has been selected to be the organization’s chief executive officer Tuesday afternoon at a press conference at Canada Olympic Park.