Moncton City Council has passed its 2021 budget without any increase to taxpayers.
Members met this morning, and voted unanimously.
The general operating budget was set at $161.6 million and it passed with the tax rate remaining the same.
Highlights include:
-Assessment increased by 1.72% in total, with an increase of 2.73% in residential assessments and a decrease of 0.14% in non-residential assessments, reflecting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
-Community Funding and Equalization Grant – the City will receive $3.6M compared to $3.1M in 2020.
-Costing for RCMP policing increased by approximately 3.03% from 2020. Major factors include the addition of 13 new members and other cost increases.
-the net cost budget for Codiac Transpo increased by more than $442,439. This is primarily attributable to reduced net revenues due to COVID-19 restrictions and anticipated reduced ridership.
-The City is contributing $4.4M in grants to local organizations in 2021. This amount includes an allocation of $853,000 to the Moncton Public Library and an increase of almost $100,000 in ice grants to support youth ice sports.
A $40.1 million utility budget that covers water and wastewater was also passed. The average resident will continue to pay almost $267 on a quarterly basis.
A proposed utility budget for water and wastewater would have seen rates increase by $16 per year, but changes were made to hold rates steady.
The Capital budget also passed, at $60.3 million.
Highlights of the City’s $60.3 million Capital Budget include:
-$5.5 million in total contributions from the Operating Budget to help reduce debt financing requirements. This approach has been a strategic priority for the last several years and is helping to reduce the City’s overall borrowing requirements and debt.
-Net Debt Borrowing for 2021 Capital Projects will total $23.44M for General and Utility Funds combined.
-More than $9.4M in projects for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements and renewal.
-An additional proposed $21M in Blue Green Algae water purification upgrades has been budgeted although the final estimate will only be known after the completion of the water treatment plant upgrade.
-More than $7.4M in projects for storm sewer construction and improvements.
-More than $11.3M in projects for road and sidewalk construction and improvement projects including the reconstruction of Lutz Street in the downtown core.
-More than $7.8M in projects for other transportation services, including $6.9M on Codiac Transpo fleet and infrastructure
-More than $3.6M in municipal facility upgrades
-More than $7.8M in recreation and culture expenditures, including enhancements to parks, trails and Centennial Park splash pad.
