2023 Municipal Budget Approval Results in $12.81 Average Monthly Increase for Residents

Following deliberations by the Finance and Administration Committee, City Council approved the 2023 municipal budget, of $708 million, which represents a 4.6 per cent tax increase from 2022.

For an average property assessed at $230,000, this means a monthly increase of approximately $12.81 over 2022. The 2023 municipal budget includes significant investments in numerous priority areas, including road work, asset renewal, community services and water and wastewater projects.

Operating Budget

The $708 million operating budget includes costs for supporting municipal services and service partners. Approximately 47 per cent of the operating budget is funded by property taxes, while the remainder comes from provincial and federal governments, grants and subsidies, user fees and other revenues.

Highlights include:

• $47.8 million in road maintenance and renewal including snow plowing, pothole patching, storm sewer maintenance, streetlight maintenance and street sweeping.
• Approximately $28.3 million for environmental services including solid waste and litter collection services, including an additional $186,111 for enhanced litter cleanup downtown (% increase).
• Continued support for supervised consumption site and supportive housing services.
• Ongoing service innovation with the implementation of online permitting for building and planning services through the Land Management Information System.

Additional service enhancements through approved business cases include:

• Investment of $1.3 million for two additional full-time ambulances, representing an additional 24 hours of vehicle coverage daily.
• $313,500 for improved technology for volunteer firefighters.
• $354,000 for enhanced security services for Greater Sudbury Housing.
• $374,000 in anticipated revenue from implementing an automated speed enforcement program offset by $330,000 in implementation costs.
• $891,000 for the detailed design of the Employment Land Strategy .
• $250,000 for Roads and Transportation Asset Management Plan.
• An increase in the annual Elderly Tax Rebate from $250 to $400.

Capital Budget

The $119 million capital budget (excluding water and wastewater) ensures the best investment choices are made by ranking projects based on standard criteria and moving forward with the highest priorities.

The emphasis for 2023 is on asset renewal and continuing the work required to advance the multi-year projects approved in prior periods, especially roads. Over $59 million (37 per cent) of the proposed capital budget is for roads and drainage projects. Other noteworthy features include facility renewal work and new active transportation infrastructure

Highlights of investments in the 2023 capital budget include:

• $50 million in bridge and road infrastructure ($16 million for bridges and $24 million for roads).
• $13.2 million for arena roof replacements, pool refurbishments, community centre upgrades and repairs to parks depots.
• $9.8 million continued investment for various transit-related projects such as bus replacements, bus rapid transit corridors and major mobility hubs.
• $4 million for storm sewer improvements on Dennie Street and Crescent Avenue.
• $3.8 million for projects to sustain recycling, landfill and transfer station services.
• $3.7 million for replacement of City fleet and equipment to maintain service levels.
• $2.9 million investment in Fire Services for bunker gear, fire engine and tanker replacements.
• $1.8 million investment in Paramedic Services for ambulances and defibrillators.
• $1.4 million for elevator replacement at 199 Larch as well as community safety station updates.
• $800,000 for library refurbishments.
• $590,000 to move Greater Sudbury Housing Corporation to Tom Davies Square Complex and create a community service counter intake.
• $800,000 continued investment to support operation of Transitional Housing.
• Continued investments in Pioneer Manor Bed Redevelopment and Junction East projects.
• $1.25 million for repairs to Fielding

Water/Wastewater Budget

The 4.8 per cent water/wastewater user rate increase is in line with the Long-term Financial Plan. Municipal water and wastewater services are fully funded by end users, as mandated by the Province, with no impact on property taxes. There are approximately 48,000 water/wastewater customers in the community. The $94 million water and wastewater budget includes the following significant capital investments:

• $19.1 million investment in watermains and sanitary sewers
• $15.6 million investment in water and wastewater treatment plants and other facilities
• $4 million investment in master and asset management plans as well as continued investment in automatic meter reading water meters

Service Partners

City Council approved the 2023 municipal share of the City’s service partner budgets which include:

• $72.7 million for Greater Sudbury Police Services.
• $9.3 million for the Greater Sudbury Public Library.
• $1.2 million for Conservation Sudbury.
• $8.1 million for Public Health Sudbury & Districts.

Quotes:

“The 2023 municipal budget represents responsible investments for modern, inclusive and sustainable City services that continue to meet resident needs. Council has approved a plan that emphasizes resident health, safety and well-being along with continued investment in our assets and infrastructure as well as our economic future. I would like to thank staff for delivering this year’s budget and appreciate the collaboration of my colleagues in finalizing the first budget of this new Council. I would also like to express appreciation to our residents who provided their input throughout the budget engagement process.”

• Paul Lefebvre, Mayor, Greater Sudbury

“The 2023 municipal budget balances maintaining municipal service levels with making sound investments into the future of our community. I want to thank Council for their dedication and thoughtful deliberation in establishing a municipal budget that addresses community priorities and makes important investments in our roads, facilities and community services for residents, all for an extra $12.81 a month for an average property assessed at $230,000.”

• Deb McIntosh, Ward 9 Councillor and Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee

“Realizing Council’s Strategic Plan outcomes requires support from a budget that accurately reflects the links between services, service levels and costs. Greater Sudbury’s economy is performing well, and the corporation’s financial condition is strong. I thank Council for trusting staff with the significant resources required to fulfill the City’s service needs, and I thank staff for their continued dedication and commitment to our community.”

• Ed Archer, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Greater Sudbury

For more information on the 2023 budget, visit www.greatersudbury.ca/budget

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