Transcript PIM Kick Off - City of Ottawa

Draft Budget - 2005
Highlights from EDAC’s Perspective
Budget Sub-Committee
Members: Anne Wright
Denis Bourguignon
Benjamin Agbanti
Overall
 City staff have tabled a budget that calls for a 4.5% tax increase and an increase
in user fees at the same rate as the rising cost of services. They made the point
that since amalgamation, Ottawa has held the line on tax increase while tax rates
in comparable cities across Ontario and Canada have continued to climb.
 The long-awaited investment in municipalities from the gas tax is being allocated
to capital spending. Compared to the 2004 base budget, no further major cuts
are proposed to services (which were significantly cut in last year's budget).
 Increased investment is recommended in:
 Police services (10%)
 Paramedic services (an additional 14 paramedics ($1.2M))
 Child care services (an additional 325 subsidized child care spots) ($2M)
 Expanded transit services
 Reinstatement of leaf and yard waste pickups in the summer ($600,000), and
 Improved road-side grass cutting ($807,000).
What we like
From EDAC’s perspective, we are glad to see:
 A much-needed increase to child care services (i.e. addition of 325 Childcare
spaces)
 Minimal further cuts suggested to city services
 The proposed re-instatement of some OC Transpo bus services (i.e. Members of
our ethno-cultural communities in Ottawa depend on the bus to get to work-many
during evening and night hours).
We should also consider supporting investment in some capital projects-access
to community space within the city is at a premium. Our communities need
accessible and culturally-welcoming public space in which to gather and build
community.
Related to capital spending, we need to make sure that the tendering process for
capital spending is open, transparent and allows for fair competition.
What we should keep an eye on
 Kent Kirkpatrick, the City Manager, has promised $7.5 million savings
through administrative efficiencies. In alignment with the motion
we passed in October, EDAC should strongly make the point that
any cuts to the City's already-slim equity and diversity resources
would hamper the city in moving forward in step with its changing
population
Increase in user fees
 User Fees are recommended to increase to match the cost of
services. User fees can be a burden, particularly on people with low and
fixed incomes. If this recommendation is followed, user fees would likely
result in an increase to:
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Bus fares – by 3%
Licenses
Recreational programs and
Other City services.
According to our October motion, we need to fight to maintain and
increase programs and services designed to "equalize opportunities"
for those who might otherwise be left out.
Changes We did Like to see – Positive Effects
Re-instatement of Community Grant Funding
 The promised re-instatement of one-time grants is not in the
budget. One-time grants have historically been allocated less than $1
million per year, but these small grants go a long way to building needed
community assets -- and each dollar invested by the city has been
shown to be matched by at least $10 in contributions in kind from
community members.
Positive Effects:
The Grants provide funding to help:
 Youth avoid the risks involved with gang related activities, drug abuse
and loitering on the street by providing drop-in centers.
 People maintain their housing and home work clubs for youth after
school.
 Seniors develop and maintain self-help networks and
 Maintain the new immigrants Women Network.
Changes We did Like to see - Negative Effects
Re-instatement of Community Grant Funding
Negative Effects:
 Will cause the increase in youth related risks such as gang related
activities, engaging in drug abuse and a significant increase of teens
on the street.
 Will decrease Community programs that help people maintain their
housing and home work clubs for youth after school.
 Will decrease the development of Seniors Self-help networks and
 Will decrease the capabilities of new immigrants Women network that
support each other.
Failing Promises
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The City is going against the Ottawa 20/20 Vision which
promises:
Access to the basics of life
Promoting culture in every Community
A strong sense of Community building – this will not happen
without the City’s support in assisting Community groups in
the Community building process.
Affordable and barrier-free facilities, programs and services.