Winnipeg will see increased taxes and fees in the proposed budget

Property taxes will rise the same as last year, but Winnipeggers will spend more on new spending as Mayor Scott Gillingham says the city needs to take a balanced approach as it tries to deliver a budget for the next four years.

Mayor Gillingham defended the proposed property tax hike of 3.5 percent, or an additional $69 for the average household this year.

“We've had to consider the needs and financial challenges of many Winnipeggers in their household budgets, while also investing in our city's service needs and priorities,” Gillingham said.

“We will collect less municipal property taxes from the average taxpayer than any other major city in Canada.”

In addition to the property tax hike, Winnipeggers could spend $1 a month on a phone line to pay for the transition to new 911 technology that allows people to send texts, as mandated by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. video and photos.

The proposed budget would also consider consolidating police and 911 firefighter-paramedic call centers.

“I think the model works well. It has the potential for efficiency, but we're going to be working closely with them and we're going to be watching it closely,” said Gord Delbridge, president of CUPE Local 500.

Transit fares, which increased by $0.10 at the start of the year, will increase by the same amount every year for the duration of the multi-year budget, but will include four new routes and staffing investments.

The city is also looking into new payment methods for Winnipeg Transit, allowing transit users to use a credit card to pay.

Homeowners will see annual trash removal fees increase from about $10 to $89 per residence, and the city will begin charging apartment owners $46 per unit starting in 2025.

The proposed budget would increase city fees and charges by an average of 5 percent in 2024 and 2025, before halving that rate in 2026 and 2027.

“We see fees, which in my mind are taxes,” said Kate Kehler, executive director of Winnipeg's Social Planning Council.

The city also aims to generate more than 30 million corporate efficiencies within city departments for 2024 alone.

The proposed budget also aims to eliminate splash pads in favor of splash pads that don't require as many staff to operate and cover the three pools that are out of operation.

The proposed budget includes a list of unfunded or partially funded projects, such as the new Arlington Street Bridge, that the province hopes can step in and help.

“We need that provincial partnership and investment,” Gillingham said.

The proposed multi-year budget will be sent to council in March.