Freezing rates, extension of free parking and delaying major projects are just some of the suggestions in the association's submission to the city council's proposed 2020-21 budget that were presented to a special meeting on Monday night.

Association vice-president Ben Blain presented a list of budget-saving ideas as well as $2.4 million worth of stimulus measures he wants the council to consider to ease the pressure on businesses and the community.

Mr Blain told Monday night's meeting the council should do more to soften the economic blow which had hit the city in a "big way".

He said the full force of the economic impact of the recession would hit the city with full force around Christmas.

The association wants the council to freeze rates for all properties - something it says would cost the budget $738,000.

He said lower waste charges would mean a freeze on the two per cent rise would actually lower rate bills, and pointed out that other councils with smaller budgets had been able to freeze rates.

The association also wants food registration and health premises fees refunded and waived for 2020-21, as well as fee waivers for community groups, not just sporting grounds, which would cost the council $285,000.

It also wants parking to remain free in some form for the entire 2020-21 financial year which would put a $1.4 million hole in the budget.

To fund the stimulus ideas, the association suggests deferring the new library learning hub for 12 months which Mr Blain said would save the $5.5 million in borrowed funds and $500,000 in the council budget.

The association also wants to see the ground works and lighting for Reid Oval done, but the redevelopment of the clubrooms deferred.

"If this project is deferred it could save $3 million in borrowings and leave $1.6 million as allocated in the budget for further stimulus," he said.

He also called for the council's upper management to take a 10 per cent pay cut and all bonuses suspended until the 2021-22 budget, saying the salaries of the council's highest paid employees cost $1.5 million.

Mr Blain said those measures would save $2.25 million in the current budget and $8.5 million in borrowings and interest.

He also singled out the finances of Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, which Mr Blain said was projected to run at an $800,000 deficit, and called on the council to find a way to make the tourist icon break even.

Mr Blain also urged the council to go for the whole $21 million for the enclosed harbour, describing the current plans for breakwater repairs and porous boat ramp as a "Band-aid".

"We've got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity now. The state and federal governments are giving out stimulus like you wouldn't believe," he said.

"Tower Hill got $12 million. Moyne wasn't even expecting to get it.

"Why don't we aim for the stars and try and get some facilities we deserve."

Mayor Tony Herbert said Mr Blain's submission would be considered as part of the budget deliberations, and last night's meeting wasn't there for councillors to debate anything presented in the submissions.

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