City staff will not be looking into reducing municipal wages and compensation costs in HRM at this time.

In a statement Friday afternoon from the mayor’s office, Fillmore says he tabled the motion that would see the costs lowered by up to 7 per cent over three years.

However, it was voted down by the Budget Committee.

It comes as Halifax Council continues developing the 2026/27 municipal budget, facing a spike of 11. 2 per cent on the average residential tax bill this year, up even higher than the projected 10.9 per cent.

The rate could increase more than 50 per cent in less than five years.

Council has been tackling big ticket items to bring the possible hike down.

Fillmore says residents are expecting Council to have tough conversations.

“It has become clear that holding a flat tax rate this year would instead require significant cuts to core, frontline services residents rely on – transit, fire and police. And I am not willing to do that.

I’ll be bringing today’s wage and compensation reduction motion back to Council in advance of next year’s budget to give my colleagues and staff more time to consider its necessity.”

Fillmore says residents ask that they have those conversations to keep every day life affordable.