Thunder Bay City Hall Sign - Acadia Broadcasting Files

Tonight city administration will present its plans on how to implement a balanced 2023 budget after being given a daunting task of a lower levy increase than recommended along with money being added back into the capital budget.

When the budget was first presented in early January a recommended tax levy increase of 5.58% after growth was made by staff, which included a reduction in capital spending.

During the first budget review meeting however, council expressed its support of a 4% tax levy increase with $1.3 million being put back into the capital budget.

Since then representatives of various municipal boards the city funds, as well as departments have made their case for funding, with some succeeding and some failing.

Following last weeks review meeting the tax levy was down to five-point-nine-eight percent, almost two percent shy of the number council wants.

Unlike provincial and federal governments, municipalities are not allowed to run a deficit.

A number of increased and new user fees are being recommended by staff including:

• Average of 3% increase to transit user fees
• Tonnage charge for loads over 120kg to increase by 3% from $84.09 to $86.61/tonne
• $25 increase to marriage licences
• Waterworks fixed and volumetric charges to increase by 3.0% effective April 1, 2023
• 5.0% increase in fees for children not eligible for Canada Wide Early and Child Care (CWELLC) program
• Jasper Place single & double tenant fees – per day to increase 2.6%

A full list can be found here.

Meanwhile there are a number of capital items

Tonight’s meeting gets underway at 5 p.m.