Council will have a look at proposed operating and capital budgets that hit the tax levy benchmark.
Administration was able to bring the blueprints in with a net increase to the tax levy after growth of 2% which is equal to $4 million which doesn’t impact all taxpayers equally.
The budgets will see an increase of $4.3 million from 2020.
City staff has presented 40 recommendations that council could act upon to save about $2.6 million, including eliminating residential snowplowing on weekends at a total cost saving of $35,000 for a ten month period (March 1st to December 31st, 2021).
City Manager Norm Gale points out those proposed reductions are guided by the will of city council noting councillors “Directed that there be no significant changes to programs or service levels and there are no significant changes to programs or service levels proposed in this budget.”
Elected officials also have the option to close one community aquatic facility to shave $226,800 off of the books.
On the links, council could push the opening of municipal golf courses to May 14th for a saving of $20,000 as well as postpone the renewal of golf assets which could save $50,000.
When it comes to pavement endorsements, $75,000 would be the savings to reduce one additional pedestrian crosswalk.
Mayor Bill Mauro and company could also cease operations of splash pads to save $54,300.
One of the higher-priced proposals, $250,000 for the contribution to Renew Thunder Bay.
Budget Key Dates
January 12th – Long-term financial overview presentation
January 14th – Public pre-budget deputation meeting
Four Council budget review meetings
January 19th, 21st, 27th and February 2nd
February 4th – Public Post-Budget Consultation
February 8th – Budget ratified by City Council
For the January 14th Meeting
- Deputation requests must be received by the Office of the City Clerk no later than Noon Monday January 11th. 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
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
Increases
- $1.3 million Capital financed by the tax levy
- $1 million Insurance premiums
- $800,000 WSIB costs (Superior North EMS)
- $600,000 Fringe Benefits (CPP & long term disability)
- $400,000 Expansions in Pioneer Ridge/Transit
- $300,000 Elimination of contributions from Sick Pay Liability & Post Employment Reserve Funds
Reductions
- $1 million Salary and benefit savings in projecting hiring gaps
- $700,000 Funding through the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund
- $600,000 Reduction in LED streetlight electricity costs
- $300,000 Reduced staffing (Thunder Bay Fire Rescue)
- $200,000 Increased penalties and interest on taxes
- $200,000 User fee increases
Capital – $16.5 plus an increase of $1.3 million
$51.6 million in total investment
- $18.9 million in roads, bridges and culverts
- $5.4 million for fleet and equipment replacement
- $5 million for parks, including the Conservatory Greenhouse
- $4.1 million in Transit
- $3.7 million in renewal of facilities
- $2.4 million for Super North EMS vehicles/equipment
- $2.1 million storm water management
- $1.6 million in Thunder Bay Police Services
COVID-19
$5.7 million the estimated impact funded by Stabilization Reserve Fund
- $2.1 million Recreation and culture
- $1.4 million Transit
- $1.2 million Lost casino revenue
- $1.2 million Child care
- $700,000 Landfill lost revenue
- $500,000 Parking Authority lost revenue
- $400,000 Provincial Offences lost revenue
- $300,000 Police Services/EMS
- $300,000 Long Term Care
- $300,000 Supplementary taxes
- $300,000 Parks
- $400,000 Reductions in travel, training, office costs
Operating Safe Restart funding -$3 million
Waterworks
- Rate increase of 3.5% over 2020 rates
- Increase of 3.5% in wastewater (sewer) over 2020 rates
- Landfill remains at $10 for loads (up to 120 kg)
- Over 120 kg will cost $81.64/tonne (increase of 3%)
- 200 kilogram load will cost $.48 more than in 2020
Recommended Cuts from Administration
1. Legislative Compliance with AODA – $50,000
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 – $208,100
7. Community Partnership Reserve Fund – $100,000
8. Recreation Trails – $39,500
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
13. Engineering (Northwest Arterial property acquisition) – $50,000
14. Engineering (Northwest Arterial Environmental Assessment) – $150,000
15. Engineering (cancel chip sealing) – $30,000
16. Engineering (Traffic calming) – $50,000
17. Engineering (active transportation) – $50,000
18. Engineering (active transportation connection Neebing McIntyre Floodway) – $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
22. No operating splash pads – $54,300
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
26. Discontinue residential snow plowing on Saturdays – $35,000
27. Discontinue residential snow plowing on Sundays – $35,000
28. Discontinue sidewalk plowing on Sundays – $12,000
29. Discontinue sidewalk plowing on Saturdays – $12,000
30. Adopt a Road program – $5,300
31. Cancel maintenance and replacement of driveway culverts – $40,000
32. Defer the expansion of wayfinding – $50,000
33. Reduce one additional pedestrian crossover – $75,000
34. Defer the purchase of a weather station – $25,000
35. Curb ramping – $70,000
36. Committee expenses (food) – $7,000
37. Reduction to general expenses – $2,000
38. One-time COVID costs (CEDC) – $12,000
39. One-time COVID costs (Tourism) – $38,200
40. 24 hour permanent washroom at Terry Fox Lookout – $95,000
