The decision whether to build a new police headquarters will be in the hands of the next council.
Tuesday’s vote delayed the $56 million debenture request until 2023 with council electing to instead commit $2.4 million from Renew Thunder Bay to look at land purchase and preliminary design of a new facility.
The Budget passes with only At-Large Councillors Peng You and Rebecca Johnson voting against it.
The Municipal Tax Levy is at 2.42 before growth and 2.36 per cent after growth.
Ratification is set for Monday February 7th
Proposed 2022 Operating and Capital Budget
Increases to the tax levy include:
- $1.6 million increase for Police Services
- $1 million capital financed by the tax levy
- $1 million in expansions, including Licensing & Enforcement, Parks (Pool 6) and Superior North EMS
- $500,000 in Program and Services Review implementation including HR Recruitment, Digital Strategy and Municipal Recycling Program
- $500,000 in Insurance premiums
- $300,000 for Outside Boards
- $200,000 for the Police Services Board
Reductions to the tax levy include:
- $1.3 million in tax write-offs, insurance claims and legal fees reduction based on recent trend analysis
- $800,000 in Increased Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund allocation
- $600,000 in reduced Thunder Bay Fire Rescue staffing costs in accordance with the Thunder Bay Fire Rescue Master Plan
- $300,000 in user fee increases
The proposed 2022 Capital financed by the tax levy budget of $17.4 million represents an increase of $1 million over 2021 levels increasing the investment in infrastructure renewal.
The estimated impact of COVID-19 in 2022 is $7 million.
