City Hall, 510 Main Street (CHRISD.CA FILE)
Winnipeg homeowners will be hit hard by the city’s latest budget.
The 2016 preliminary budget was released Wednesday, calling for a 2.33 percent property tax increase, an increase to frontage levy fees and the introduction of 106 new service fees.
When broken down, homeowners will pay an average of $33 more per year on a home valued at $288,000. One percent of the increase will go to local street renewal, one percent for regional street renewal, and 0.33 percent towards rapid transit.
The frontage levy rate will increase by $1.10 per frontage foot, meaning the average homeowner will pay $55 more on a 50-foot lot.
“Winnipeggers want continued investment in infrastructure, and the proposed budget reflects this priority,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “The proposed property tax increase this year is entirely dedicated to infrastructure.”
City Hall marriages
Couples can now pay $500 to get hitched at City Hall. The fee is expected to generate $40,000 annually for the city.
Winnipeg Transit expansion
The city is allocating $25.6 million more this year to increase Winnipeg Transit’s fleet. It will add 52 new buses to the streets to replace aging vehicles, while eight will be added for the new Transit UPass program — expected to launch in the fall.
911 fee
The city is considering adding a flat fee to all phone bills to cover the cost of 911 services. The fee isn’t for anyone who picks up the phone to call 911, but rather blanketed across all phone lines as an added tax.
Appeal fee
A new $250 fee will apply to appeal a decision at City Hall
Waste collection fees
Waste collection fees for garbage and recycling collection will increase from $56 to $57 annually.
Other highlights:
- Business tax rate will be reduced from 5.6 to 5.3 percent.
- Adopting a dog through the Animal Services Agency will see a $40 fee added. Dog licenses will increase by $5.
- $100,000 will fun a “downtown off-leash dog park master plan.”
- $750,00 spending on the 2017 Canada Summer Games.
- 280.7 million to the Winnipeg Police Service (6.32 percent increase)
- $190.1 million to the Fire Paramedic Service (6.63 percent increase)
City council still needs to approve this year’s budget.
