The tax levy increase barely changed during seven hours of budget talks last night, going from 2.41% after growth to 2.43%
They are also delaying spending $720,000 on the Waterfront and Victoriaville parkades, but not removing it from the budget. They approved that motion from Mayor Bill Mauro, who is asking for more information on possibly selling the two parkades. Councillors turned down a $6 increase to the monthly parking rate at both parkades as well.
Another adjustment last night was $50,000 added to the water rate budget to help people pay to replace lead pipes. City Administration says they need more time to calculate how exactly that will impact your water bill, but their initial estimate is that it will take the water rate levy increase from 4% to 4.23%.
They also added $47,500 to take on more of a role in operating of local community centres.
A handful of motions sparked long debates, including a push to hire two new by-law officers this year. That eventually failed, but would have added $228,000 to the budget. Meanwhile, Council quickly voted down an attempt by Councillor Albert Aiello to add another $220,000 to the budget for chipseal surface treatment for rural roads. If it had succeeded it would have would have increased it to $370,000.
Budget talks will continue on January 22nd and 28th, followed by a public consultation on February 3rd and ratification vote on February 10th.
