There was another Special Budget Meeting yesterday (Thurs) for City Council’s Governance and Priorities Committee, whittling down the projected funding gap by another $3.15 million next year and $554,000 in 2025. Although unlikely, if left at this point with no more cuts, the deficit would equate to a property tax increase of 7.47 per cent next year, followed by 5.93 per cent in 2025.
Some of the cuts which will be included in the preliminary budget are closing the East Compost Depot, no new Full Time Equivalent positions for playground and youth centre staff training or for an Outdoor Special Events Organizer, and reducing snow pile removal from parking lots at civic facilities, and a 20 per cent reduction in the program, research and design budget for Recreation and Culture.
Some of the added revenue will come from a 0.5 per cent increase in the City’s Current and Arrears monthly Property Tax Penalty Rate next year, an increase in the late payment penalty rate for parking by $10 to $60 and an increase in the reduced payment penalty from $30 to $35.
Another Special Budget Meeting has been scheduled for September 20th.
Cuts and Revenue boosts:
• Closure of the East Compost Depot
• Reduce operating hours by one (1) hour at the end of the day at the Landfill and Material Recovery Centre
• Eliminate skunk inspection, trapping and relocation services for private residential properties
• Modify the Mosquito Control Treatment Area buffer zone to be one to two kilometres outside of city limits instead of five to ten kilometres outside of city limits
• Defer the Remai Modern Civic Buildings & Comprehensive Maintenance Reserve phase-in contribution for 2024
• Phase out of the $100,000 Interest Stabilization Support over two years
• A $5 fee increase for Manual Tax Certificate/Tax Searches and a $10 fee increase for Online Tax Certificate/Tax Searches
• A 0.5% increase in the City’s Current and Arrears monthly Property Tax Penalty Rate in 2024
• An increase in the reduced penalty rate for parking offences from $30 to $35
• An increase in the late payment penalty rate for parking offences from $50 to $60
• An increase to the City’s Land Lease Revenue Budget to account for signed but potentially temporary lease revenue
• A 20% reduction in the program, research and design budget for Recreation and Culture
• No new FTE’s for playground & youth centre staff training
• No new FTE’s for an Outdoor Special Events Organizer
• Redirect a portion of savings ($250,000) experienced from the temporary closure of the Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre in 2024 and 2025
• Reduction to the Corridor Planning Program’s Special Services operating budget
• Reduce the payroll cost (CPP, EI, Benefits, WCB, etc.) estimate by $200,000 in 2024
• Reduce the operating phase-in of the City’s SAP program by $250,000 in 2024 and 2025
• Exemption of City properties from the City storm charge for 2024 and 2025
• Reduction of 50% of the inflationary pressures to the Information Technology Reserve
• Reduce snowpile removal from parking lots at civic facilities
