A A

The ominous tone of plummeting revenue and potential staff reductions hung heavy over a pre-Easter crisis update from Halifax Regional Municipality.

“A number of the measures that we have taken to protect our staff and the public and to continue to support businesses has resulted in a decrease to our revenue,” Jacques Dube, chief administrative officer of HRM, said at the Wednesday update.

Those measures included eliminating Halifax Transit fares and parking fees.

“Bus fares from Halifax Transit alone are around $3 million a month,” Dube said. “By adding foregone parking revenue and rent deferrals, we are seeing material changes to our budget to about the tune of $5 million a month. That is not a sustainable model going forward.

“Finance staff are assessing the latest operating capital budget to see what can be delivered this year and what can be deferred.”

Dube didn’t dig down on who among the municipality’s 3,300 employees could be at risk of job loss.

“When something like this happens, whether you lead a business or a government administration, you have to face very difficult decisions regarding staffing,” he said.

“Like all administrations at this time, we are not immune to this painful reality. At this time, however, I will not be elaborating further on this matter until further decisions are made.”

Dube said the municipality continues to have conversations with the province about infrastructure spending, deferral programs and the possibility of stimulus programs.

“It is anticipated that we will be back with a recast budget in late May but as with all things COVID-19 related, that timeline is subject to change,” he said.

Deputy Mayor Lisa Blackburn noted at last week’s virtual council meeting that she will move at Tuesday’s meeting that property tax payments for residential and commercial ratepayers be deferred until June 1 from the regular April 30 date.

“We continue to work with the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities and the Association of Municipal Administrators of Nova Scotia on options for a tax deferral program,” Dube said.

While Dube said his team will present a report to council on Tuesday in relation to temporary tax deferrals, he said it is “critical that those who can pay their taxes continue to do so in a timely fashion.”

“Tax revenue makes up 82 per cent of the municipality’s revenue and we spend $100 million a month (on operating expenses) and, while we are financially sound, we do require a certain amount of cash flow in order to provide services, pay our vendors and suppliers and continue with capital projects that support the economy,” Dube said. “It is critical that the province support us in our tax-deferral scenarios and the program that will hopefully be adopted by the province in all municipalities across Nova Scotia.”

Dube said service levels will continue to be adjusted as necessary and long weekend adjustments will be in effect this weekend.

The CAO also talked about domestic violence.

“Following the public health direction, we know that to stay home is crucial but we know that home is not always safe for everyone,” Dube said.

He said the municipal Public Safety Office advises residents that help is available for women and children experiencing the risk of domestic violence. That help can take the form of supportive connections and outreach over the phone, information about safety planning and the provision of emergency sheltering and second-stage housing.

“If you are experiencing domestic abuse, know that you are not alone,” Dube said, urging anyone in immediate danger to call 911, for those who need help or information to call Bryony House’s distress line at 902-422-7650 or to connect with community resources by calling 211 or logging on to the website.

Mayor Mike Savage wrapped up the update by admonishing citizens to stay the course and to stay home unless absolutely necessary on the long weekend.

“Police, RCMP and our bylaw officers will continue to patrol and ticket when they find people where they should not be, parks, beaches, sports fields or instances where people are failing to adhere to social distancing and gathering limitations,” Savage said. “I would encourage you strongly to instead of looking for creative ways to circumvent the rules, follow them.

“Trails that are not part of a park can be used for exercise but only if you can walk there and observe the social distancing. Anybody who has questions about trails can call 311.”

The mayor said he realizes times are tough.

“Going into the COVID-19 crisis, Halifax had one of the fastest growing urban economies in the country,” Savage said. “We will have significant recovery ahead of us but I am confident that we have the natural and earned advantages as a city and a province to position us to recapture momentum.”

Savage had two final pieces of advice for residents.

“For heaven’s sake, stop flushing things down the toilet that don’t belong there,” he said of wipes and disposable gloves. “You may have seen the pictures, and if not, check them out through Halifax Water. They are pretty disgusting and beyond that, they are dangerous and costly.

“I think we can all agree that we do not want to invite a sewage backup into our homes at any time, least of all while we’re stuck there.

“Wrapping up, I say to you stay home, stay strong, stay apart but stay together as a community. We will come out on the other side and we will get there sooner if we all do our part.”