Weekly newsletter: February 6, 2023

Last week, council received and tabled the 2023 budget.

It is well-known property taxes will increase by 2.5 per cent, the smallest increase in almost half a decade. With the rising cost of living and inflation, it’s important that our residents aren’t overburdened - taxpayers are not an infinite source of revenue.

Several residents did share concerns about the city’s ability to maintain and deliver its services with such a small increase in revenue.

With higher-than-expected growth, the city’s tax base also expanded the equivalent of a further 2.2 per cent increase in property taxes. In the last decade, the number is closer to 1.5 per cent.

Combined, that’s a 4.7 per cent increase to the city’s property tax revenue, or just over $100 million. On top of that, over $50 million in efficiencies were identified.

This includes a new police station near Prince of Wales and the Jock River, which will replace two existing facilities past their useful lives and two facilities currently leased by the Ottawa Police Service.

I am a responsible spender, so I want that reflected in my policy decision making. That’s why I voted against the electric bus loan until we test them for a few more years (an effort that failed). That’s why I’m content with the budget we’ve tabled, given the external pressures.

But a budget is meaningless without your input, and neighbouring Councillors and I have organised two opportunities for you to provide your input for the 2023 budget. Registration is required for the virtual consultation, you can find the details below!

Can’t make either? Share your comments privately via email and I’ll share them as part of the consultation process.

The budget cycle is a bit tighter this year due to the election. We’ll resume the normal cycle that begins in early-autumn for the 2024 budget process.

-Wilson