WINNIPEG, MB - The Preliminary Tax-supported Operating Budget calls for a modest increase in expenditures of 3.2 per cent in 2013, restraining overall spending in most budget areas, for a total of $921.6 million in services and programs, while maintaining the lowest property taxes among major cities in Canada.
Priority areas of investment in the 2013 Preliminary Budget include public safety, transit, city streets and protection of trees and green spaces, including:
- 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% of the tax supported Operating Budget
- 4.3 per cent operating budget increase to Winnipeg Transit, to ensure Transit remains a competitive transportation solution for Winnipeggers
- Continued commitment to capital improvement of Assiniboine Park, 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, an $11.9 million operating grant in 2013, as well as a loan guarantee for $17 million for the Journey to Churchill project
- $1.9 million City contribution to a proposed $3.8 million enhanced management program for Dutch Elm Disease, subject to 50/50 cost-sharing with the Province, to protect our city’s beautiful Elm canopies
- $250,000 per year increase for continued phase-in of a one-in-ten-year tree pruning program
The Budget includes a $500,000 investment to improve building permit turnaround times, to ensure Winnipeg can remain a vibrant hub of new housing development.
The Preliminary Operating Budget includes a focus on savings and efficiencies, in order to allow investment in priority services. These efficiencies include:
- Accelerating the Alternative Service Delivery (ASD) review and implementation process, to find more efficient ways to deliver City of Winnipeg services, for anticipated savings of $2 million each year
- Managing vacant jobs within the City of Winnipeg for savings of $13.6 million
- Reducing advertising and consulting budgets within City of Winnipeg departments, for savings of $868,000
- Holding the line on City of Winnipeg grants, with most agencies or groups maintaining the same annual grant or receiving a slight reduction in annual grant, for total savings of about $358,000
The Budget also fosters continued growth in Winnipeg’s business economy by maintaining the business tax rate at 5.9 per cent, and 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. 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 represents 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.