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Chalk up a point for Main Streets advocates. Some members of council say they will support budget amendment seeking dedicated tax support for older neighborhoods #yyccc #yyc pic.twitter.com/vnX2fYg7X2 — Meghan Potkins (@mpotkins) November 26, 2018

Just over 70 speakers signed up to make brief presentations on the proposed 2019-22 budget, with the majority urging increased spending on transit, cycling infrastructure, parks, arts and economic development.

A number of residents and advocates also questioned proposed property tax increases, pushing council to look for ways to reduce municipal spending as the city continues to struggle out of the economic downturn.

There were also some fireworks during Monday’s meeting when a director for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) called on council members to eliminate some of their own benefits and reduce overall spending on wages and benefits for municipal employees.

“There are things this council needs to do to show leadership and until that’s done, I don’t think this council has a leg to stand (on) to come with these massive tax increases,” said CFIB’s Amber Ruddy.

Several council members pushed back, pointing out city managers and exempt staff have had their pay frozen for several years in response to the downturn.

“I am trying my best to stop the misinformation that has been rampant,” said Coun. Peter Demong. “A comment goes out — and the world just seems to (say): ‘that must be the truth — let’s not actually find out what the reality is, let’s just accept that the city is absolutely ludicrous in their spending.'”

The city is currently proposing a tax increase amounting to 13 per cent over the next four years.

Nenshi said Monday that Calgarians currently pay some of the lowest property taxes of any major city in the country.

“The increases we’re looking at right now come up to about five dollars a month for the average home,” Nenshi said.

“The vast majority of people who come to us have asked us to spend more. Yet it seems that the loudest voices are those that think the city’s inefficient.”

mpotkins@postmedia.com

Twitter: @mpotkins