Greater Sudbury City Council Approves 2015 Municipal Budget

For Immediate Release                                                                   Thursday, March 5, 2015

Greater Sudbury City Council tonight finalized the 2015 municipal budget in the gross amount of $514 million. This represents a 0% municipal property tax increase. 

“I want to thank the Chair and Vice Chair of the Finance Committee for leading us through this process, as well as our CAO, CFO and staff for working on the budget under some very tight timelines. I would also like to commend Council for their hard work, each having contributed in their own way to holding the taxes for 2015,” said Brian Bigger, Mayor of Greater Sudbury. “I appreciated the open discussion and willingness of Council to rethink, refocus and rebalance our budget. I am proud we could invest in initiatives that matter to residents while still holding the taxes this year.”

The budget was passed by approving permanent reductions in capital in the amount of $2.2 million and the one-time use of reserve funds totaling $6 million, as well as a number of efficiencies across the organization. The 2015 operating budget is dedicated to day-to-day operations, including programs and services in more than 30 diverse sectors such as roads, policing, emergency services, social services, solid waste and leisure programs.  

The budget also includes enhancements, such as: 

Increased funding for watershed studies worth $213,000; 

Investment in physician recruitment of $150,000; 

A permanent grant to the Art Gallery of Sudbury; 

Grants to various community groups; 

Funding for enhanced trail inspection and maintenance; 

Cycling infrastructure; and 

Various transit service enhancements. 

The capital budget was passed in the amount of approximately $110 million, up from $95 million in 2014. Of the 2015 capital budget, $45 million is dedicated to road and drain investments.

City Council also set a number of targets for 2015 and 2016, including $6 million to be achieved through attrition, reduction in purchased contract services, and new revenues.

The municipal budget also incorporates the City's share of the outside Boards' budgets – the Greater Sudbury Police Services, the Sudbury & District Health Unit, and the Nickel District Conservation Authority.  

The tax rates will be finalized in April 2015. The final tax bill is scheduled for distribution in May.

For more information on the 2015 municipal budget please visit www.greatersudbury.ca/budget or dial 3-1-1 for municipal services.

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