Finding savings is the focus of council as they strive to shrink the municipal tax levy.
The first budget review session Tuesday lasted five plus hours and covered corporate services, long term care as well as infrastructure and operations.
Council rejected funding a number of measures, including duct cleaning at Victoriaville Mall, adding another crossover and a property acquisition for the Northwest Arterial. When it comes to an environmental assessment for the Arterial, Mayor Bill Mauro suggested a final decision on that could happen next week following a meeting with the Ministry of Transportation.
After all was said and done, the elected body was able to cut $443,300 which helped get the increase to the municipal tax levy down to 1.93% before growth and 1.69% after growth.
Thursday’s second session is anticipated to cover any additional measures that weren’t looked after Tuesday as well as Development and Emergency Services.
What’s Changed
- Insurance costs are $238,000 less than estimated
- The levy for the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board is $167,800 lower than expected
- Council reduced the hit to the stabilization reserve fund by $125,000 to fund the $8.7 million COVID impact
- Insurance costs are $234,400 less than estimated
- $138,400 increase for Canada Penson Plan/Employment Insurance costs
- $149,400 in reduced debenture interest, MPAC levy, Community Youth & Culture Funding Program ongoing
Reducing The Hit On the Stabilization Reserve Fund Fund
$41,200 to fund the $8.7 million COVID impact
- Removing property acquisition for Northwest Arterial for $50,000
- Removing one pedestrian crossover for $75,000
- Adding Community Youth and Culture funding program COVID-19 relief for $83,800
Updated list of recommended cuts to offset the impact of COVID-19
2. Defer Generator Replacement – $150,000
3. Close one community aquatic facility – $226,800
4. Reduce transit hours – $50,000
5. CEDC reserve fund – $109,000
6. Clean, Green & Beautiful – $108,100
7. Community Partnership Reserve Fund – $100,000
9. Contribution to Renew Thunder Bay – $250,000
10. Defer opening of Cashier Counter Service – $41,000
11. McKellar Mall – $138,700
12. Engineering (property acquisition) – $25,000
15. Engineering (cancel chip sealing) – $30,000
16. Engineering (Traffic calming) – $50,000
19. Environment (residential drainage rebate) – $50,000
20. No rides at Chippewa and Muskeg Express – $46,000
21. No campgrounds at Chippewa and Trowbridge Falls – $11,700
23. Open golf courses on May 14th – $20,000
24. Defer design and planning for the next splash pad – $50,000
25. Defer the renewal of golf assets – $50,000
30. Adopt a Road program – $5,300
34. Defer the purchase of a weather station – $25,000
35. Curb ramping – $35,000
38. One-time COVID costs (CEDC) – $12,000
39. One-time COVID costs (Tourism) – $38,200
Budget Key Dates
January 21st – Budget Review Meeting
January 27th – Budget Review Meeting
February 2nd – Budget Review Meeting
February 4th – Public Post-Budget Consultation
February 8th – Budget ratified by City Council
For the February 4th Meeting
- Deputation requests must be received by the Office of the City Clerk no later than 4:30 p.m. Friday January 29th. Walk-in deputations will not be permitted
- Four options for providing a deputation: by videoconference, by telephone, through the City Hall lobby kiosk, or by sending a letter to Council
- Deputation requests can be made by emailing OfficeoftheCityClerk@thunderbay.ca or by completing the online Speak Before Council
