The 2016 municipal budget has been approved in the total amount of $519 million. Of this total, $239 million comes from municipal property taxes, representing a 3.9 per cent tax increase for 2016. This amounts to an approximate $102 more per year for a typical bungalow assessed at $230,000.
"This budget does a lot to improve the quality of life and place for the citizens of Greater Sudbury, while taking solid steps forward on open government and sustaining our level of capital investment," said Mike Jakubo, Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee and City Councillor for Ward 7.
"The 2016 budget maintains the level of services that citizens have come to expect, and invests in critical municipal services such as transit and facilities for our children to enjoy," said Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger. "These investments, along with funding for a complaints resolution process, align with this Council's strategic pillars. I am excited to get started on these projects, as we invest in the future of our community."
The municipal budget funds allows the City to fund the daily operations of programs and services in more than 30 diverse sectors such as emergency services, roads, public health, garbage and recycling, and leisure programs. Of the $107 million approved for capital funding, $41 million is dedicated to road investments, including Lorne Street.
The 3.9 per cent increase includes:
• Maintaining municipal services at their current level - 1.8 per cent
• Additional capital investments - 0.3 per cent
• Outside boards - 0.5 per cent (Greater Sudbury Police Services - $53,549,719; Sudbury & District Health Unit - $5,917,248; Nickel District Conservation Authority - $700,500)
• Provincially mandated services – 1.3 per cent.
The Finance and Administration Committee approved budget enhancement options that include investments in transit , such as the creation of low income transit passes, and upgrades to the City’s website.
It is anticipated the 2016 municipal budget will be approved at the February 9, 2016, City Council meeting.
Greater Sudbury City Council has established strategic pillars in order to create positive outcomes for citizens and the community as a whole. The key priorities, as outlined in the City of Greater Sudbury Strategic Plan 2015-2018, are growth and economic development; quality of life and place; responsive, fiscally prudent, open governance; and sustainable infrastructure.
For more information on the 2016 municipal budget please visit www.greatersudbury.ca/budget.