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City of Fredericton Approves 2012 Budget
Tax rate stays the same; some fee & rate increases
Fredericton City Council has approved a $101.9 million general operating budget and a $15.9 million water and sewer utility budget for 2012, with no property tax rate increase. There will, however, be some increases for transit, parking and ice rental fees, as well as water & sewer rates.
The City of Fredericton’s tax rate will remain at $1.4211 per $100 assessment for the Inside Rate and $1.0658 / $100 assessment for the Outside Rate. The “outside rate” is defined as a household within the City not connected to municipal water & sewer services, but receiving all other municipal services.
Revenue for the City’s 2012 Budget is expected to come from three sources: property tax (residential and commercial) - $86,004,968; user charges, licenses, fees, fines and other - $10,296,055; and, the Unconditional Grant - $5,643,032.
Key items in the City’s 2012 operating budget include:
- $14.7 million capital program for infrastructure renewal and replacement
- Additional capital and maintenance funds for The Playhouse facility
- Operating funds to retain the York Arena
- Partnership funding with Enterprise Fredericton for an Immigration Coordinator
- Funds to support a sport tourism strategy and investment
- Ongoing funding for the Silverwood Transit Route
- Enhanced by-law enforcement efforts for dangerous and unsightly premises
- Line painting and signage for new bike lanes
- Additional training and support for Lean Six Sigma
- Contribution to the UNB Sir Max Aitken pool capital upgrades
Operating line item increases covered in the 2012 Budget include:
- Garbage contract increases
- Facility contract increases
- New operating costs for the Grant?Harvey Centre starting in the Spring of 2012
- East End Parking Garage maintenance costs
- Long-term funding plan for maintenance of City facilities
- Increased costs related to City pension plan deficit
Community Grants
The City of Fredericton has made available $679,720 in capital, operating and discretionary grants to local non-profit institutions, organizations and community groups as part of its 2012 Budget including a new capital grant to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. A total of $255,992 in long-term capital grants was provided. Ongoing operating grants incorporated into the City’s 2012 departmental budgets total $217,228. Various discretionary grants were approved for 2012 totalling $206,500.
Efficiencies
While there are no new staff positions at the City of Fredericton, with the exception of the Grant?Harvey Centre and Silverwood Bus Route reinstatement, Lean Six Sigma efforts and other discussions have resulted in some staffing changes.
One vacant position in the IT Division will be eliminated. Through redistribution of duties, a position was eliminated in the parking services division. These funds will be reinvested in Lean Six Sigma projects to achieve more efficiency items. Two property services division maintenance staff working at the police station will move to the recreation division to work in the rink system, to offset new staffing costs for the Grant•Harvey Centre.
A position in the Development Services Department, being vacated by retirement at the end of 2011, will be reassigned to take on a greater role in by-law enforcement. A fleet vehicle from another department will be transferred to the by-law enforcement section. This means no new costs to City residents for enforcement efforts related to unsightly premises.
Fee Increases
Ice rental fees will rise by $21 per hour effective April 2, 2012. The following new ice rates will apply: Adult Prime Time - $171/hour; Adult Non-Prime $121/hour; Adult Late Time - $146/hour; Minor Prime Time - $92; and, Minor Non-Prime Time - $76/hour. HST is extra on all fees.
Monthly parking fees at city-owned facilities will increase effective February 1, 2012. The following monthly permit fees will apply: Brunswick Street Parking Garage, Campbell Close Parking Lot and the York Carpark - $95/month; Brunswick Street Parking Garage - $170; Frederick Square Parking Garage - $64/month; Upper Queen Lot - $43/month; and, York House Parking Lot - $85/month. HST is included in all monthly parking permits.
Transit fees will go up on January 1, 2012. A cash transit fare will increase from $2 to $2.25. A 10-ride ticket fare will increase from $18 to $20. And the Fredericton Transit charter rate will increase from $90/hour to $100/hour.
Water & Sewer Utility
The Water & Sewer Utility is self-funding, gaining its revenues from water and sewer fees. The 2012 water and sewer budget is $15.9 million including just over $2 million for the Fredericton Area Pollution Control Commission. This includes $6.1 million in capital projects, which will see one water reservoir replacement, 2.6 km of water main renewal, 3.0 km of sanitary sewer line renewal, and one sanitary sewer lift station replacement.
Water & sewer rates will increase in 2012 by 0.5 cent each for water and sewer. This means a new rate of $0.76 per cubic metre (m³) for both water and sewer for a total increase for both of $1.52 per m³. This is the fourth year of an approved five-year rate increase to sustain quality water and work towards decreasing the utility’s infrastructure deficit. The annual estimated cost, based on an average yearly household consumption of 272 m³, will be $667 or a 7.1% increase over 2011. The rate is the lowest of NB’s three largest cities.
For more on the Budget 2012 process, click on the various links under RELATED CONTENT.
