THUNDER BAY – Just a few nights to go in the process of shaping the 2024 operating and capital budget.
Following Monday’s session, the municipal tax levy sits at 5.49 per cent after growth (5.93 before growth) after a series of decisions that included:
- Bringing back Christmas Day bus service beginning in 2024 at a cost of $42,500
- All but $200,000 allocated for repairs to the Victoriaville parkade being delayed until 2025
- $25,000 being added to the Recreation & Culture Division of the budget; $15,000 two movie nights, $10,000 for neighbourhood programming
- $18,700 decrease in the Community, Youth and Cultural Funding within the Tax Supported Operating Budget
- $50,600 Increase in revenues for the Parking Authority Operating Budget
- $27,900 increase in expenses in the Parking Authority Operating Budget
- $85,000 transfer from the Stabilization Reserve to support the City Manager recruitment expenditure
Also on the agenda Wednesday will be a re-examination of a $250,000 budget increase ask from the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) that was originally presented to council on January 30.
At-large Coun. Shelby Ch’ng put forward a motion to delay any decision until Feb. 7.
OTHER BUDGET RELATED CHANGES:
- An increase in the municipal accommodations tax (MAT) revenue by $100,000, to $3 million
- Drawing $298,200 from the Capital General Reserve Fund based on a lower-than-expected allocation from the Canada Community Building Fund ($6,844,100)
- Annual contribution of $150,000 to the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium (TBCA) Capital Reserve Fund from the city’s Capital General Reserve Fund
- Decrease in the levy from the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB)
- $4,500 partial rink grant for both the Oliver Road Recreation Association and the Current River Recreation Association
- An increase of $200,000 within development services to hire two additional full-time equivalent staff
- $85,000 in savings with three days of curbside leaf and yard waste pick up
- $85,000 increase to the recreation trails budget
- Eliminating the use of asphalt instead of concrete for repairs on sidewalks, which staff reported would have saved the city $40,000
- $504,000 increase in Waterworks Revenues within the Rate Supported Operating Budget
- $50,000 savings by removing the Planning Services Heritage Grant Program
The 2024 operating and capital budget is scheduled to be ratified on Monday, February 12.
