Budget 2013 adopted by City Council

Released: January 29, 2013 at 3:16 p.m.
$1.5 billion of investments in services, programs and $374.7 million in infrastructure improvements for Winnipeggers

Winnipeg, MB - Winnipeg City Council has adopted the 2013 Operating and Capital Budgets as well as the 2014-2015 Operating Projections and 2014-2018 Capital Forecast.

"We know Winnipeggers want to see improvements in local streets, back lanes and sidewalks and this budget puts forward a long-term, sustainable plan to get the job done,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “At the same time, this budget makes clear our first priority is public safety. Supporting the Winnipeg Police Service and the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service is the single largest investment in our Operating Budget.”

The Adopted Operating Budget provides for $921.6 million in tax-supported expenditures in 2013, with $556.6 million for utilities and special operating agencies, for a combined operating budget of $1.5 billion of investments in services, programs and infrastructure improvements for Winnipeggers.

The Adopted Capital Budget includes $374.7 million in capital expenditures in 2013.

“The City of Winnipeg continues to have the lowest municipal property taxes among Canadian cities,” said Deputy Mayor Russ Wyatt and Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Finance. “This budget balances taxpayer interests with the need to invest in our city, with investments in local streets, parks, community centres and libraries, as well as a renewed commitment to protect our Dutch Elm canopy for generations to come.”

Highlights of the approved Budgets and Capital Forecast include:

Roads, sidewalks, back lanes in 2013

  • One per cent of property tax will be solely dedicated to the renewal of local streets, back lanes and sidewalks
  • This will result in a 66 per cent increase in the local street renewal budget, up from $21.65 million (2012) to $35.86 million (2013)
  • $30 million investment for Polo Park traffic infrastructure improvements
  • $7.4 million for the twinning of Molson Street (Munroe to Concordia) to relieve congestion

Environment and Sustainable Transportation

  • $7.2 million for construction of north and south Community Resource Recovery facilities in 2013, with forecasted funding for east and west centres in 2014
  • $1.9 million for an enhanced Dutch Elm Disease Management strategy
  • $250,000 per year increase for continued phase-in of a one-in-ten-year tree pruning program
  • 4.3 per cent operating budget increase to Winnipeg Transit, to ensure transit remains a competitive transportation solution for Winnipeggers
  • $137.5 million in the 2014-2018 Capital Forecast for the City’s share of completing Stage 2 of Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor, subject to confirmed partner funding
  • $1.1 million for the planning, design and preparation of future rapid transit corridors, including an Eastern Rapid Transit Corridor, subject to matching funding from the Province

Parks, Community Facilities and Amenities

  • Assiniboine Park: continued commitment to capital improvement of the “jewel in the crown” of Winnipeg’s park system through a total of $66.2 million in the Capital Budget and Forecast over the next six years, a $12.207 million operating grant in 2013, as well as a loan guarantee for $17 million for the Journey to Churchill project
  • East Elmwood Community Centre construction: $5 million, made up of $3.2 million from the Recreation and Leisure Infrastructure Program, which is jointly supported by the city and provincial governments, plus $900,000 from the City’s insurance reserve fund and $900,000 in incremental funds from the Province
  • $3.8 million in city-wide investments for recreation and leisure, to support active families and year-round outdoor play, with such programs as a $200,000 investment to transform Transcona’s Buhler Recreation Park into a year-round activity destination
  • Libraries: as part of a $24.6 million over six years for an eight-year redevelopment project involving eight Winnipeg Public Library facilities over the next eight years:
  • $4 million in 2013 to relocate the Windsor Park Library to a new, larger, modern building at the Bonivital Pool site as part of a multi-use facility supporting recreation, leisure and community programming
  • Replacement of the following libraries: Charleswood (2013), Windsor Park (2013), Transcona (2014), River Heights (2015), Westwood (2017), St. James (2018) and West Kildonan (2020)
  • Renovations to St. Vital Library (2013)

Public Safety

  • Overall, $31.3 million operating budget increase to police ($22.4 million) and fire paramedic ($8.9 million) services; public safety now makes up 44 per cent of the tax-supported Operating Budget
  • Implementation of provincial funding for 10 new police officer positions for a safer community
  • In partnership with the Province and Downtown BIZ, 10 new auxiliary police cadet positions in the downtown area to build on relationships with the community, prevent crime and allow police officers to focus on core duties
  • Addition of 12 paramedics to staff a new ambulance 24/7 in 2013, to ease some of the burden on Winnipeg’s busy ambulances
  • Ten new fire paramedic communication/dispatch operators in 2013, to enhance 911 call taking service, ensuring that all calls continue to be answered and processed in accordance with accepted standards
  • $40 million over the next six years for capital projects including police headquarters; South and North district police stations; dispatch, computer, radio, telephone and video system upgrades
  • $22 million over the next six years for new/renovated fire paramedic facilities, and radio system replacement

Making Winnipeg More Business-friendly

  • Investing $330,000 to improve building permit turnaround times, to ensure Winnipeg can remain a vibrant hub of new housing development ($500,000 on an annualized basis)
  • Maintaining business tax rate at 5.9 per cent
  • Continuing the Small Business Tax Credit program at the 2012 level, meaning that over 40 per cent of businesses will receive a full rebate of business taxes, and new businesses operating under the threshold will also pay no net business tax, helping to build a more vibrant business sector and contributing to job growth and prosperity for owners and employees

The 2013 Budget is the first step in a long-term plan to improve the quality of life for all of our citizens. Investing in citizens’ priorities ensures that Winnipeg continues to be a great place to live, work and play, now and in the future.

For more information on the 2013 Budget, please visit: winnipeg.ca/2013budget. Updated budget documents to reflect Council-adopted amendments will be posted in the coming days.

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