EPC sends budget tweaks on to council final vote

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This article was published 20/03/2023 (400 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The City of Winnipeg will slash millions off department savings targets, while adding more funding to recruit lifeguards and remediate lead contamination, if council approves final budget changes proposed by the executive policy committee.

On Tuesday, EPC approved several amendments to the city’s $1.3-billion proposed operating budget, which still awaits a final council vote.

“I believe that this budget really shows an investment in key services in the City of Winnipeg, services that the citizens of Winnipeg have articulated are priorities for them,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham.

The changes would cut the amount of savings city departments are tasked to find by the end of 2023 to help balance the books — reducing that target to $22.1 million from a combined $33.5 million (in the preliminary budget).

“When the corporate efficiency target is a very high number, the vulnerability there is, for them to meet that number, sometimes, departments will look to reduce service levels and we’re trying to avoid that. So, by reducing the corporate efficiency target, we are protecting front-line services,” said Gillingham.

The $9.2-million in-year savings target for Winnipeg Police Service would not be altered through the proposed change, the mayor’s office confirmed.

EPC also voted to add $150,000 for lifeguard recruitment and retention, which would add to previous federal funding the city used to cover several training courses to help attract more staff.

Gillingham noted spring swimming lesson registration started for city pools Tuesday. Due to a persistent lifeguard shortage, many parents wound up on waiting lists after the available spots filled up.

“This is an investment so that fewer parents are on wait lists to get lessons for their children,” the mayor said.

The budget changes also increase this year’s city grant for social services at the Amoowigamig public washroom to $250,000 (from $200,000). Supporters have credited the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre program with helping connect vulnerable people with housing and addictions supports, as well as offering them “a place to go” downtown.

“It does good work, that’s why we topped it up to make sure it does run to the end of the year (with 10-hour-per-day service),” Coun. Jeff Browaty, council’s finance committee chairman, said in an interview.

Browaty said he hopes to secure outside support for social services at the site (715 Main St.) in the future, noting these don’t traditionally fall under the city’s jurisdiction.

The city also appears set to devote money to remediate lead contamination, with EPC devoting $139,000 to do so at Mission Park in 2023, and another $311,000 to clean up Weston Memorial Community Centre hockey rink in 2024.

Gillingham said EPC’s additional spending will be covered through a $16.7-million hike in this year’s provincial operating grant for Winnipeg and $13 million of provincial Winnipeg Transit support, both of which were finalized after the city’s budget process was already underway.

The changes also clear the way for the 311 department to fill up to nine additional full-time equivalent positions to help reduce wait times, using existing budget funding.

EPC proposed no change to the 2023 taxation plan, which includes a 3.5 per cent property tax hike and a $1.50-per-foot frontage fee increase. The average single-family homeowner will pay an extra $142 to cover those combined bills.

Council will cast the final vote on the 2023 budget Wednesday.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga