Winnipeg, MB - A number of amendments to the preliminary 2019 operating and capital budget were approved today by the Executive Policy Committee (EPC) for consideration by Council at their special meeting tomorrow to consider the budget.
The amendments were proposed and approved after listening to feedback and suggestions from 25 delegations and 15 submissions as well as members of Council.
“This has been another challenging budget year,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “Tabling a balanced budget is always challenging, but with additional pressures this year difficult choices were required and the amendments approved today for Council’s consideration are a result of public and Councillor feedback.”
As with last year’s budget, Mayor Bowman said a significant challenge in preparing the 2019 budget was attributable to funding uncertainty from the provincial government.
Amendments approved by EPC and proposed in an amending motion to the 2019 preliminary operating and capital budget recommendations for Council’s consideration include:
- $100,000 to undertake a strategic planning session for all members of Council to begin preparing for the 2020 multi-year budgets;
- A $82,229 retroactive funding adjustment to the 2017 Universal Funding Formula grants payable to community centres;
- A $200,000 increase to the operating revenue grant from the Province of Manitoba to reflect consolidation of the General Council of Winnipeg Community Centres grant;
- A smoothing over two years of funding changes proposed to the Winnipeg Arts Council;
- Non-recurring legal services funding of $97,200;
- Requiring the operating grant to Assiniboine Park Conservancy to be subject to compliance with its lease and funding agreement;
- Funding to support staffing increases in the Urban Forestry Technical Services;
- $15,000 to host the 2020 Francophone & Francophile Cities Convention in Winnipeg;
- A call on the Province of Manitoba to provide the outstanding $40 million to fulfill the final $50 million payment to the City of Winnipeg for the 2018 roads program, as well as clarity on how and when it fulfilled its five-year, $250 million roads funding commitment to the City of Winnipeg; and
- A referral to the appropriate committee of the annual capital program of $300,000 per year over the next six years to implement the Off-Leash Dog Areas Master Plan for consideration in the 2020 capital budget process.
The 2019 preliminary operating and capital budget and budget recommendations are scheduled to be considered by Council at a special meeting on Wednesday March 20, 2019.