2013 City Budget

Cornwall City Council has approved a $155-million operating and capital budget for 2013 which maintains important City programs and services and supports investments in critical infrastructure such as roads and sidewalks.

The budget – which was approved during a special Council meeting on Wednesday, April 3rd – carries a tax levy increase of 2.88 per cent. For the average residential taxpayer, the increase
will translate into less than 75 cents per week (or an additional
$39 on the annual tax bill).

“Our residents are getting good value for their tax dollars with this budget,” said Mayor Bob Kilger. “It recognizes the need to support important services and infrastructure in our commmunity while also being mindful of our residents’ ability to pay.”

The 2013 City budget will result in a 2.77 per cent decrease to the municipal tax rate to partially offset rising property assessment values, which will increase an average of 4.5 per cent this year.
It marks the fifth consecutive year that the municipal tax rate has been reduced in Cornwall.

The 2013 operating budget totals approximately $147.8 million
and will serve to maintain existing programs and services
offered by the City.

As for capital investments, the 2013 City budget calls for total spending of approximately $7.2 million, an increase of nearly $580,000 over last year.

Of the $7.2 million, only $1.44 million is to be funded from the property tax base, with another $4.2 million being covered by the City's Federal Gas Tax allotment, $182,500 from Provincial funding, $1.26 million from Reserves and $90,800 from the United Counties of S, D & G for capital projects at Glen Stor Dun Lodge.

Some of the key Capital projects earmarked for 2013 include:

-   Approximately $4.1 million to repair or build over 15 kilometres
of roads, sidewalks and bike lanes.  
-   A project to prepare a new snow disposal site for the City for the 2013/2014 winter season.
-   $115,000 for power upgrades in Lamoureux Park  
-   The replacement of three ambulances and one First Response Vehicle  

In the lead-up to Council’s approval of the 2013 budget, the City’s Budget Steering Committee held a series of meetings to review requests by various City departments and outside agencies in greater detail.

Prior to that, Financial Services Manager Maureen Adams and other members of the Financial Services Department met with all of the Division Managers and Senior Managers with the City to review their respective budget submissions.

“Mrs. Adams and her team did a great job of assembling this budget for Council’s review and approval,” said Councillor Denis Carr, the Chair of the Budget Steering Committee. “Council has reviewed the budget in detail, and we will continue to monitor the budget through quarterly financial reports from Administration.”

Below you will find various reports and information on the 2013 
City Budget as well as the 2013 Water and Sewer Budget.
 

Budget Documents & Reports
	2013 Budget Overview Presentation This document provides an overview of the 2013 City Budget. The presentation was made by Maureen Adams, General Manager, Financial Services, at the Budget Steering Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 3rd.
	2013 Draft City Budget The entire Draft City Budget, broken down by various sections: - Overall Budget - Administrative Services (City Council, CAO, Clerk's Dept., HR, Financial Services) - Social and Housing Services - Glen-Stor-Dun Lodge - Protective Services (Police, Fire, EMS) - Infrastructure and Municipal Works (includes Cornwall Transit and Solid Waste) - Economic Development, Planning, Parking, Bylaw Enforcement, Building Services - Parks and Recreation - Community Agencies - 2013 Capital Budget - Reserves and Progress Fund

Water and Sewer Budget

At a special Council meeting on December 4th, City Council approved 
a 2013 Water and Sewer Budget of $15,457,075. This represents an overall increase of 3.28 per cent over 2012. For a homeowner with one bathroom and an outside tap, the budget increase will result in an additional $16.95 on their 2013 water and sewer bill.

As part of the 2013 Water and Sewer Budget, significant investments will be made to the City’s water and sewer assets. Some of the capital projects scheduled for completion in 2013 include:

• $1,115,000 for a sewer separation project and watermain upgrades on the lower portion of Brookdale Avenue, in conjunction with the new low-level bridge project
• $875,000 in watermain rehabilitation improvements to improve water delivery
• $100,000 to improve and/or replace large water distribution valves
• $500,000 to upgrade the watermain between McConnell Avenue and Anthony Street
• $400,000 in improvements to the Water Purification Plant
• $725,000 to replace the watermain and complete a sewer separation project on Augustus Street between Sixth and Eighth Streets
• $375,000 to replace the watermain and complete a sewer separation project on Maple Street from Brookdale Avenue to Seymour Avenue
• $600,000 for improvements to the Saunders Pumping Station
• $190,000 for a sewer separation project on York Street from Water Street to Second Street
• $500,000 for upgrades to the clarifiers at the Wastewater Treatment Plant

In addition to the numerous capital projects, the 2013 Water and Sewer Budget also includes a $1 million contribution to reserves to assist with the City’s share of the $57-million upgrade to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. For more information on the Wastewater Treatment Plant project, please click here.