Council has approved the 2022 budget for the City of Timmins ahead of schedule.
Coun. Joe Campbell was the only member of council to comment on the item before it was approved in an 8-1 vote at tonight's virtual meeting.
The net expenditure includes a $35.2 million for operating costs, a decrease of $348,667 over 2021, and $9.4 million for capital, a $1.1 million increase. The net expenditure increase is up 1.93 per cent over 2021.
The increase does not include budgets from agencies, boards and commissions (ABCs), which also impact the tax levy. Council also approved the budget increases for the ABCs today. No details on the budgets from the ABCs were provided.
For water and sewer rates, the 2022 increase is $53 — $22 for water and $31 for wastewater.
Last month, the $1.69 million fleet program for 2022 was also approved. The program includes replacing 10 vehicles as well as buying ancillary equipment as well as a two per cent increase to the charge-out rate affected departments pay to create revenue in the account.
The budget was approved without knowing how much the increase will impact local taxpayers on the municipal portion of tax bills.
Tax rates are typically set in the spring, said communications co-ordinator Amanda Dyer, earlier today.
Other municipalities do report the impact that the budget will have on the average homeowner.
In Sudbury, for example, the city's 2022 budget site includes the monthly impact of the budget increase for the owner of a $230,000 home and a home assessed at $350,000.
Campbell questioned the early approval of the budget.
“The feedback received from many members of council was that they were ready on the budget at the last meeting,” explained CAO Dave Landers.
While Campbell is happy that the treasurer has indicated the city's looking at a new budgeting process, he mentioned on the lack of details on the ABC budgets.
“Not all councillors are on these boards. So essentially, sure we could dig in and get the detail but it should be made available,” he said.
In a news release sent out after the meeting Mayor George Pirie said the budget shows the "council’s commitment to growth and infrastructure."
“By being fiscally responsible with operating costs, we were able to add a number of key capital projects to this year’s budget. Overall, it will position the City to capitalize on revenue to make the right investments for the community," he said.
Major capital purchases over $100,000 in the budget are are:
- $13.3 million through external financing for the Golden Manor redevelopment.
- $150,000 for storm sewer camera inspections.
- $250,000 for storm sewer repairs.
- $125,000 for stormwater needs study.
- $2.4 million for landfill gas project, which will be funded internally over 10 years.
- Transit
- $130,00- for pave lot, offset with funding
- $142,464 for Eco 60 In-Ground, offset with funding
- $670,000 for conventional bus, offset with funding
- $500,000 for terminal construction, offset with funding
- Maintenance, parks and recreation
- $120,000 to replace the Confederation Arena roof
- $200,000 to replace city hall roof
- $150,000 for truth and reconciliation fountain memorial
- $100,000 for McIntyre parking lot repairs
- $120,000 for repair the south wall of the pool
- $125,000 for ActiveNet computer software
- $400,000 for corporate building condition assessment
- Roads
- $6.54 million for Connecting Link, to be funded through external financing
- $800,000 for Connecting Link future phase design
- $2.2 million to resurface Denise Street
- $200,000 for surface treatment
- $2 million for grind and pave
- $100,000 for street lights
- $150,000 for the Pine Street Public Works office and yard renovations
- $350,000 for the Langmuir Culvert, which will be funded by reserve
- $190,000 for the Moose Creek bridge design
- $1 million for the Bruce Avenue Bridge
- Transfers
- $525,000 transfer to future infrastructure
- $171,000 transfer to fire reserve
- $377,000 transfer to IT reserve
The 2022 ABC budgets and increases over 2021 are:
- Mattagami Region Conservation Board - $618,000, net increase of $9,000
- Timmins Public Library - $1,985,435, net increase of $22,400
- Timmins Economic Development Corporation - $1,283,521, net increase of $8,971
- Porcupine Health Unit - $1,475,990, net increase of $134,181
- Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board - $10,701,493, net increase of $158,150
- Timmins Police Services Board - $17,257,380, net increase of $528,881
