North Bay’s 2021 budget has been finalized, with a tax levy increase of 3.38 percent approved by council.
The 3.38 increase consists of a 0.28 percent raise in city departments, 1.75 percent for capital projects and 1.34 percent for agencies, boards and committees.
Including growth, the average homeowner will pay about 2.99 percent more in property taxes.
The 1.75 percent capital increase largely consists of the city’s investment into Cassellhome Home for the Aged’s renovation and a new community centre in West Ferris.
The budget was passed with an 8-3 vote, with councillors Mark King, George Maroosis and Scott Robertson voting against.
Robertson noted that he was fine with moving forward with the major capital projects, but struggled with the city’s commitment to addressing homelessness and addiction, saying it’s out of the municipal government’s responsibility.
“The reality is, we cannot levy the taxpayer enough to deal with it in a meaningful way,” he said. “There is no pot of money available to the municipal government to address those problems.”
Councillor Maroosis cited the tough economic times brought on by the pandemic as a reason to hold off on some of the major investments in order to provide relief to taxpayers.
“Surely, the year of 2021 is going to be a difficult one for this community. I don’t think it’s realistic to have a three percent tax increase for residents and businesses at this time,” he said.
Councillor King was also in line with Maroosis, citing the economic impacts of the pandemic as a reason to slow spending.
Deputy Mayor Tanya Vrebosch countered this notion, saying the budget poises the city to come out of the pandemic strongly.
“You’re either going to grow yourself out of this or make significant service level cuts,” she said. “COVID is not going to last forever and we need to maintain our commitment to growth.”
Councillor Johanne Brousseau agreed with Vrebosch.
“The budget is about investing in the community’s wellbeing and maintaining our quality of life. Though we need to react to today’s realities and life, we need to plan for the future,” she said.
Maroosis and King put forward a motion to direct city staff to bring the levy increase down to one percent. The motion was defeated.
This finalizes a budget process that began in November but was delayed due to an insurance glitch in late December.
