City of Fredericton 2009 Budget Highlights
Following are the highlights of the City of Fredericton's 2009 Budget:
- The City general fund budget for 2009 is $88.7 million. The Water and Sewer utility budget for 2009 is $10.7 million.
- The 2009 municipal tax rate will remain unchanged at $1.41 cents per $100 of assessment and the outside tax rate—for those not connected to municipal water and sewer will remain unchanged at $1.06 per $100 of assessment.
- The water and sewer rate will increase four cents per cubic metre to cover inflation and the growth of the city and the need to replace aging water & sewer assets. The impact will mean an additional $3.25 per month or $39 per year on average to city home owners.
- City residents will receive all the services and programs they received in 2008 and more.
- The budget will contain funds for major city construction projects including the start of a new conference centre, parking garage and office complex, which will rejuvenate the City's downtown core, and the Grant Harvey Centre on Knowledge Park Drive.
- Funding is available to complete construction of the Northside fire station at Two Nations Crossing and the adjacent fire fighter training facility. Both are on schedule to open in May 2009.
- Eight new City employees will be hired in 2009 to keep pace with the demands of a growing city and provide better services to Fredericton residents.
- The City will continue its Green Matters campaign in 2009 by encouraging residents to reduce community greenhouse gas emissions by six per cent by 2010.
- The City will spend $85,000 to position itself as the centre for green technologies in New Brunswick.
- The City will begin to market its new conference centre scheduled to open in 2011 with a $150,000 campaign.
- More bike lanes will be added to city streets and work will continue to upgrade the City trail system in the downtown area.
- Funds have been allocated to allow for infrastructural renewal of the City's water and sewer system.
- The pilot bus service project along Two Nations Crossing will be extended into the new year.
- Several parks in the City will receive major upgrades and the Wilmot Park tennis courts are going to get a $250,000 facelift.
- There will be an increase in the cost of a monthly parking pass for off-street parking and surface lots. There will be no change for on-street meter parking, hourly paring rates or parking fines.
- Ice rental fees at City arenas are going up to $137.50 per hour for regular prime time and to $61 for minor sports. All other fees remain the same.
- The cost of a single ride on a City bus will rise to $2. Senior passes will decrease by $5. The cost of monthly passes and student passes are unchanged.
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Media Contact: John White, Communications, City of Fredericton, 506-460-2227.
