Halifax Council is once again looking into paid parking on Saturdays as budget deliberations continue.

It is one of several suggestions made recently to cut down on a looming 10.9 per cent increase to property taxes, including delaying the redevelopment of the Halifax Forum and lowering the standard on the AAA bike network.

At that increase Council needs to make up roughly $40 million.

Also included in the motion, was to make the first hour of parking, free – with fees that may raise 25 per cent.

It was tabled by Councillor Nancy Hartling Wednesday and would be applicable for downtown Halifax and Dartmouth as well as Spring Garden zones.

Hartling said while tax increases are already so unmanageable, taking a closer look would be the “responsible thing to do”.

“If there was ever a year for us to make adjustments in our parking prices, surely this would be the year,” said Hartling.

Mayor Andy Fillmore said paid parking on Saturdays will raise concerns, especially for businesses, but many municipalities similar to the size of Halifax have implemented it.

“In the end, we do have to balance the two competing priorities of protecting local businesses from any negative impact but also protecting them from the tax rate increases. They also have to pay on the commercial rate,” said Fillmore.

This is not the first-time paid parking on Saturday’s has been considered. There was a large amount of backlash in 2023 when the idea was brought to the table.

At least one councillor expects a similar reaction, this time.

“We’ll probably get an earful,” said Sam Austin.

Council continues to go over the budget this week. It is expected to be finalized, late March.