CITY OF GUELPH
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Today, City Council approved the 2019 non-tax supported operating budget totalling just under $79.1 million.
The City of Guelph’s non-tax supported budget includes Stormwater Services, Water Services, Wastewater Services, Ontario Building Code Administration, and Court Services. The budgets for these services are not funded through property taxes, but rather through user fees, rates, and other non-tax supported revenues.
This budget continues to build on financial sustainability, predictability, continuous service improvement and cost competitiveness.
“Safety is always a priority for the City, and this non-tax supported budget ensures we have the right resources in place to meet health, safety and regulatory requirements to keep our people, our environment and our community safe,” said Derrick Thomson, chief administrative officer for the City of Guelph.
Here are the approved rates for 2019, effective March 1, 2019:
Water volume – $/cubic metre (m3)
- 2018 - $1.72
- 2019 - $1.72
- Change: $0.00
Water basic – $/day
- 2018 - $0.26
- 2019 - $0.26
- Change - $0.00
Wastewater volume – $/cubic metre (m3)
- 2018 - $1.84
- 2019 - $1.88
- Change - $0.04
Wastewater basic – $/day
- 2018 - $0.32
- 2019 - $0.32
- Change - $0.00
Stormwater service fee – $/month
- 2018 - $4.60
- 2019 - $5.20
- Change - $0.60
For water, wastewater and stormwater, the average household impact is estimated at $12 based on the average annual water consumption of a three-person household; an overall increase of 1.32 per cent over 2018.
The Ontario Building Code Administration budget increased by 0.83 per cent over 2018. Any impact this may have on building permits will be realized in a separate report to Council in May.
The Court Services budget increased by 0.43 per cent over 2018.
The Stormwater, Water and Wastewater Services’ budgets include increased transfers to capital reserve funds totalling $2.12 million to continue to build toward financial sustainability. These departments also transferred $1.25 million from their respective operating contingency reserves to minimize the 2019 rate impact to the community.
“Council and staff have strategically set the City on a course toward sustainability,” said Trevor Lee, deputy CAO, Corporate Services at the City of Guelph. “This budget invests in our assets and protects people and property, while we educate and innovate to reduce the burden on the City’s infrastructure and the environment.”
Community input
Today’s approval is the first of four budget approvals from Council. The next Council deliberation and approval will be on January 30 for the 2019 capital budget, followed by tax supported operating and local boards and shared services on March 5.
For a complete meeting schedule, including delegation nights, please visit here.
Residents are invited to review the recommended budgets and follow the City’s budget news here, Twitter (@cityofguelph, #GuelphBudget) and facebook.com/cityofguelph.
All budget documents and related information will be posted on here as they become available. Online budget documents comply with the Province’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Accessible formats available by calling 519-822-1260, extension 2325 or TTY 519-826-9771.
All Council meetings will be in council chambers, City Hall, 1 Carden Street and can be watched live.
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