Winnipeg, MB - Mayor Brian Bowman and Executive Policy Committee (EPC) approved the 2017 Capital and Operating budgets today, and as a result of delegations heard yesterday recommended that three grants be increased.
The changes recommended by EPC today include:
- A one-time grant increase of $5,250 in 2017 for a total of $40,000 for Heritage Winnipeg Corporation;
- The grant to Mediation Services be increased to $10,000 per year, and;
- A one-time grant of $7,000 for Take Pride Winnipeg for the completion of the Snow Angels snow clearing pilot program (winter 2016/2017). It was also recommended that the Winnipeg Public Service be requested to report to EPC in May 2017 with the results of the pilot and identify other opportunities for funding, including but not limited to sponsorship opportunities.
“We heard from many different delegations yesterday, and while I wish we had more dollars for all the worthy initiatives, the demand on resources far outweighed available funding,” said Mayor Bowman. “We had to make difficult decisions to balance our budget but felt we were able to make these modest increases work within our budget framework.”
“Heritage Winnipeg and Mediation Services both do great work in their respective fields and we are happy to be able to provide these increases,” said Mayor Bowman. “I am keenly interested in the Snow Angels snow clearing pilot program and look forward to seeing the report to EPC in May of next year.”
The 2017 preliminary Capital and Operating budgets will reviewed and voted on at a special meeting of Council scheduled on Tuesday, December 13.