WINNIPEG, MB - After hearing public delegations at Executive Policy Committee (EPC) and Standing Policy Committees, EPC today recommended several amendments to the 2013 Preliminary Operating and Capital Budgets.
Recommendations for spending commitments include:
- A $1.9 million unconditional commitment to fight Dutch Elm Disease in 2013.
- Adding $340,000 to the operating grant for the Assiniboine Park Conservancy in order to meet increasing labour and utility costs.
- Adding $56,147 to the budget for museums.
- Adding $200,000 to address concerns with Sherbrook Pool.
“This is a strong, positive budget for the City of Winnipeg,” said Deputy Mayor Russ Wyatt, and Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Finance. “For the first time, we are dedicating a portion of property taxes to fixing our local streets, back lanes and sidewalks and we have a long-term plan to get the work done. I wish to take this opportunity to thank everyone who spoke in delegation and for their input into the amendments we are recommending today.”
To ensure the City’s budget is balanced, the following recommendations were put forward:
- Reducing the Mayor’s Civic Initiatives, Promotional and Protocol fund by $200,000, on a one-time basis, to allocate towards Sherbrook Pool.
- Pro-rating salaries based upon anticipated hiring dates of new permit staff, for a savings of $170,000.
- Pro-rating salaries based upon anticipated hiring dates of new term staff for the Alternative Service Delivery process, for a savings of $50,000.
- Reducing the Office of Policy Development and Communications by $142,864 ($92,864 from pro-rating salaries and benefits and $50,000 from budget consultations).
- As per the recommendation of the City of Winnipeg Museums Board, fund the Fire Fighters Museum of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service rather than through the Fire Fighter Historical Society.
A special meeting of Council will be held on Jan. 29, 2013 to debate the operating and capital budgets.