WINNIPEG, MB - To ensure that the City of Winnipeg is better able to plan for strategic capital investment, the 2013 Operating and Capital budgets will be adopted at the same time. This new system stems from recommendations in the 2008 Capital Project Management Audit. The Budget adoption is planned for early in 2013.
“The majority of municipal jurisdictions are moving towards tying the capital and operating budgets together in order to facilitate proper planning,” said Chair of Finance and City Councillor Russ Wyatt. “As a result of the new process we need to allow a first charge, in order to tender and award various engineering consultant contracts necessary to ensure the projects can be started.”
A report released today is requesting approval for expenditures of up to $24.7 million in 2012, prior to the adoption of the 2013 Capital Budget to ensure the 2013 regional and local streets, waterway crossing, and grade separation capital projects are completed on time.
The 2013 Forecast of the 2012 Adopted Capital Budget includes nearly $33 million for the Regional and Local Street Renewal Program, of which $24.7 million is being requested for a first charge, meaning that only a portion of the Capital Budget is used. This would include the rehabilitation of eastbound Portage Avenue (from St. John’s Ambulance Way to Sherburn Street), eastbound Corydon Avenue (from Kenaston Boulevard to Centennial Street), intersection improvements on Century Street at Saskatchewan Avenue, and mill and fill projects along St. Anne’s Road, Lagimodiere Boulevard and St. Mary’s Road.
Approval is also needed of $2.6 million for waterways and grade separation projects, including the Canadian National Mainline Grade Separation, Portage Avenue Bridge (Sturgeon Creek), and the St. James Street Bridge (Omand’s Creek).
The report will be considered by the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works on Monday, November 26, 2012, with the Budget adoption planned for early in 2013. The report is available here.