Respecting every tax dollar and delivering value.
Residents are feeling the pressure of rising costs - from housing and transportation to everyday expenses. While municipalities can’t control inflation, they can make responsible decisions that help keep costs down and ensure residents receive good value for their tax dollars.
Mayor Fillmore's approach starts with a simple principle: respect every tax dollar and focus on the services residents rely on most. That means setting priorities, making disciplined financial decisions, and investing where municipal government can make the greatest difference.
Affordability doesn’t exist in isolation. Building more homes helps address housing costs. Improving transportation gives people more choices for getting around. Investing in infrastructure today helps avoid higher costs tomorrow. By making smart, long-term decisions, the municipality can support a more affordable Halifax for current and future residents.
Here's how Mayor Fillmore is working with Regional Council to turn priorities into action - and what it means for residents.
Making disciplined decisions on behalf of taxpayers.
→ More stability and predictability for residents.
- Maintained a flat municipal tax rate during rising cost pressures.
- Set clear direction for future budgets that prioritizes affordability, disciplined spending, and core services.
- Prioritizing core services over unnecessary spending.
Cutting inefficiencies and focusing on what matters to residents.
→ Better services without putting more pressure on taxpayers
- Launched a service review to focus on delivering value for money.
- Introduced a user fee framework to improve fairness and transparency.
- Proposed new tools to help businesses identify and reduce necessary red tape.
Taking practical steps to ease cost pressures now.
→ More support, where it's needed most
- Protected access to affordability programs.
- Backed co-operative and non-profit housing projects to lower long-term costs.
- Moved to review sidewalk patio fees to reduce costs for local small businesses.
Reducing pressure on taxpayers by bringing in outside funding.
→ More gets built without relying only on property taxes
- Secured federal funding for housing, infrastructure, and flood protection.
- Partnered with other levels of government to get major projects moving.
- Positioned Halifax to compete for - and win - new investment.
Keeping Halifax affordable means making thoughtful decisions today that strengthen our community for the future.
By managing finances responsibly, investing strategically, and delivering reliable municipal services - the goal is to ensure Halifax remains a place where people can afford to live, work, and build their future.