Cambridge council set to debate 2020 budget Monday

Cambridge councillors will meet Monday afternoon to debate and pass the 2020 budget.

The draft budget calls for a4.05 per cent tax increase, which is about $55.11 more for the average household. Water rates are also expected to rise by $39 for the average house.

Ward 3 Coun. Mike Mann, who is also chair of the budget and audit committee, has said previously he'd like to see the tax rate cut, possibly in half.

A list of 32 budget items has been attachedas an Appendixto the budget online. A few of the items up for discussion include:

• No longer hiring communications co-op students, which would save $45,400.
• Eliminating funding for a rainbow crosswalk, which would save $15,000.
• Reducing cleaning at city hall from five days a week down to three days a week, which would save $33,000.
• No longer responding to needle clean-up calls on private property, which would save $100,000.
• Closing all Idea Exchange locations on Monday evenings, saving $56,000.

Council is set to meet at 1 p.m. Monday in council chambers.