Halifax regional council has given next year's proposed capital budget the green light to move to the final stage, but some councillors feel the plan picks favourites when it comes to where the money will be spent.

The capital plan includes money for large projects such as a four-rink complex in Burnside and an artificial turf field in Cole Harbour, but some councillors expressed disappointment with what they see as an emphasis on urban areas.

"It doesn't look towards suburban and rural, hardly at all," said Brad Johns, the councillor for Middle/Upper Sackville - Beaver Bank - Lucasville. "I'm not really impressed with that."

Bill Karsten, the councillor for Dartmouth South - Eastern Passage, defended the plans.

"These projects are finally lining up after multiple years of planning," he said.

Other councillors pointed out that projects such as the four-rink complex are regional facilities that will benefit all residents.

If the plan is approved, it means spending on construction projects in the region will increase by 37 per cent to $186.2 million.

More money for paving

The proposed capital budget includes spending an extra $5 million for roadwork, putting the total for paving at $48 million.

Coun. Waye Mason would like to see more streets get fixed by reducing the amount Halifax pays down on its debt.

"We have a maintenance deficit," said the councillor for Halifax South Downtown. "We're not talking about increasing the debt, we're just talking of reducing the amount of money we use to pay off the debt."

One of Mason's colleagues is nervous about the idea.

Tim Outhit, the councillor for Bedforth - Wentworth, said that if the city wants to do more paving, it should delay some capital projects.

Halifax's chief financial officer will do a review of the municipality's debt strategy.

Meanwhile, final approval of the 2016-17 capital plan is expected happen in February after the operating budgets for the various municipal departments are debated.

The capital plan also includes $8 million for Halifax Transit bus replacements.