**CITY OF TIMMINS NEWS RELEASE**

Budget deliberations at the City of Timmins Council table have led to the approval of the 2020 budget with a 0.92 per cent overall net increase – reflective of a 0.08 per cent reduction in operating costs, and a 5.53 per cent increase on capital spending.

“We are extremely pleased with the outcome of this year’s budget process,” said City CAO Dave Landers. “Our staff and Council worked very hard to ensure we are investing in the right places for the future of our community. By holding the line on operating costs, we are able to focus on our infrastructure.”

2020 Revenue Highlights
– Increased Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) – $303,500
– New MAT – $270,000
– Increase in Transit revenues due to increased ridership – $50,000
– Increase in bingo and business licenses – $100,000
– Recovery of online contractor training – $9,000
– New revenue source in Building due to services provided to other municipalities – $120,000
– Decreased building permit revenue for Timmins operations due to decreased building permit activity – $100,000
– Reduced arena rental revenue – $23,000
– Reduced cemetery fees due to less casket burials – $22,000

2020 Expense Highlights

– Communication Strategy in lieu of management position – $50,000
– Financial Strategy – $35,200 (funded with a provincial grant)
– Corporate and Community Environmental Sustainability plan – $40,000
– Economic increase for staff at 1.5 per cent – all new positions included a business case showing cost neutrality
– Employee benefit package savings – $360,000
– Reduction in Fleet Manager salary – $140,000
– Energy project payment finalized – $160,000
– Reduction in Transit maintenance costs – $74,000
– Increased consulting fees in EMO budget to meet legislative requirements on Community Risk Assessments and training requirements – $35,000
– Increased Landfill closure reserve by $90,000 (from $90K to $180K)
– Increased recycling processing fees – $244,000

2020 Operating Budget
The 2020 Operating Budget is $35,115,117, reflecting a net reduction of $30,297.
2020 Capital Budget
The $8,086,923 capital budget will fund a number of projects, including:
Corporation of the City of Timmins
220 Algonquin Boulevard East, Timmins, ON P4N 1B3
Phone: (705) 264-1331
– McIntyre Head Frame repairs budgeted at $250,000
– IT Network environment – $500,000
– New flooring on pool deck – $250,000
– Emergency Response Pumper for Fire Department – $400,000
– Whitewater Park splashpad – $375,000
– Outdoor multi-use pad at Roy Nicholson Park – $260,000
– Traffic lights – $550,000
– Public Works’ yards need study and preliminary design – $350,000
– Landfill gas project – $225,000
– Transfer to future infrastructure – $275,000
– Timmins Transit

o Bus wash refurbishment – $200,000 (offset with funding)
o Conventional bus – $670,000 (offset with funding)
o Farebox system upgrade – $500,000 (offset with funding)
– Roads
o Connecting Link – $3,786,885 (with a funding budgeted of $3 million)
o Laforest Road paving – $500,000
o Grind and pave – $850,000
o Bridge repairs to Langmuir Culvert and Frederick House Timber Culvert – $720,000

The City of Timmins administration is committed to notifying residents once official tax increases have been determined, and a budget summary will be posted to the City’s website later this week.
The budget presentation can be found at: https://timmins.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Id=1286

Filed under: Local News