Amarjeet Sohi, Edmonton Ward 12 Councillor

Budget 2011

Council’s formal budget discussions are underway, running through early December. Based on Council’s recommendations from earlier this year, the City’s Administration presented an operating budget that would increase taxes by 3% for operations plus 2% for our designated Neighbourhood Renewal Program. As Council debates the proposed budget over the coming weeks, we will be bringing constituents’ issues to the table and proposing amendments to ensure that Edmontonians’ needs are met.

Greetings for a new term

I am honoured to begin another term as your City Councillor, and I want to extend my sincere thanks for the opportunity to continue to serve Edmonton’s southeast. I have valued all your support and engagement over the past three years. As representative of the newly defined Ward 12, I will advocate for safe, inclusive communities with access to thriving public services. My vision is for enhanced sustainability, affordability and liveability throughout Edmonton’s southeast and the City as a whole.  

Business is already underway for our new City Council. With the release of Edmonton’s 2011 Proposed Budget on November 9, Council begins its annual budget deliberations. In these discussions – which continue through the next two months – our role is to review the City Administration’s proposal and ensure that it meets the needs of constituents. In our recommendations, we must strike a balance between providing funds for a variety of services and limiting increases to your property taxes. One of my priorities for this year’s budget is to advocate for improved transit service to newer communities in our Ward. In the 2009 Citizen Satisfaction Survey, Edmontonians identified public transit as a high-priority area needing improvement. As our city expands, we need to make sure that public transit remains an efficient mode of transportation in all areas. In addition, I will be proud to push forward plans for a new Meadows Community Recreation Centre and Library as well as an improved, stand-alone Mill Woods Library branch. I advocated strongly for these exciting projects in my previous term, securing funding for them in last year’s budget. (I encourage you to visit the City’s website to view the innovative design concept for the Meadows recreation complex: www.edmonton.ca.)