City Presents Proposed 2022 Budget 

The proposed 2022 municipal budget was presented to the Finance and Administration Committee of Council at last night’s meeting.

Staff developed the budget following direction from Council in June with key directives to continue services levels, fund capital projects to sustain City services and limit any change in net taxation to 3 per cent. Service Partners and entities funded in part by municipal taxes, were asked to follow the same guidelines.

Overall, a 3.2 per cent property tax change is being presented as the result of a late addition to the Greater Sudbury Police Service budget. Staff continue to look for options that will ensure the direction for no more than a 3 per cent property tax change is fulfilled.

“I’d like to acknowledge and thank staff for the considerable work that is evident in this document each year,” said Ward 7 Councillor Mike Jakubo, Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee. “Budget decisions are never easy, but I am confident that with the information presented in this document and working together with staff, we will arrive at the best decisions to ensure sustainability, growth, improved quality of life for our community and another historic investment in our city’s roads, buildings and pipes.”

City Staff prepared business cases for any changes in resources or service levels. These are identified in the budget document and will be voted on by Council.

“The proposed 2022 Budget maintains service levels and includes projects that help achieve the goals in Council’s Strategic Plan,” said City of Greater Sudbury Chief Administrative Officer Ed Archer. “Staff look forward to supporting the Finance and Administration Committee’s, and the community’s, review of the proposed budget so we can ensure our business plans appropriately reflect Council’s priorities.”

Budget highlights

Emphasis for the proposed 2022 budget has been placed on asset renewal, road maintenance, customer-service improvements and continuing multi-year projects.

The proposed operating budget, the money needed for the City to perform day-to-day operations and provide daily services, is $654.6 million.

The capital budget, which provides money for additional investments or projects for the year, to maintain existing physical assets like roads, recreation facilities, building upgrades and equipment renewal, is proposed at $197.8 million. 

Some investment highlights include:

• More than $68 million for roads and drainage projects including arterials, collectors, bridges, and stormwater improvements on Dennie Street and Crescent Avenue in Capreol;
• $30 million toward the Pioneer Manor Bed Redevelopment project, as previously approved by Council in prior year budgets;
• $1.7 million towards roof replacements at three community arenas and over $800,000 for improvements to pools;
• Elevator modernization at 166 Louis St. and 1960-A Paris St. Greater Sudbury Housing buildings;
• $1.1 million toward the Temporary Supervised Consumption Site. 

A 3 per cent increase means an extra $8 monthly for a home with a current assessment value of $230,000.

The budget document includes a proposed 4.8 per cent rate increase to the 2022 Water and Wastewater user rates. These services are supported entirely by user rates and do not require a property tax subsidy. The user fee increase will be invested in the asset renewal, repair and maintenance needed to keep the system sustainable. 

The budget includes expected revenues and expenditures for the year to outline a blueprint for services provided to residents on a daily basis. It can be downloaded at overtoyou.greatersudbury.ca.

The Finance and Administration Committee is scheduled to discuss the budget at its November 29, 30 and December 1 meetings. City Council is expected to approve the final budget on December 14, 2021.

Public Input

The City wants to hear what you think is most important for the upcoming year’s budget.

Residents are invited to share their priorities and ideas on the 2022 Municipal Budget from November 3 to November 25 at 4 p.m.

Residents can visit overtoyou.greatersudbury.ca to complete a survey, share their thoughts through an idea board and try the tax allocator. Paper copies of the survey will be available at Library/CSC locations throughout the City. Residents can also provide input by calling 311.

Dates for virtual information sessions to be held during the month of November will be shared once finalized.

Information will be shared with Council prior to deliberations. 

For more information about the budget visit greatersudbury.ca/budget.

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