Council passes 3.77 tax hike
Posted Feb 5, 2010 By Anil Jhalli
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Tweet ThisEMC News - Ottawa city council passed the 2010 budget on January 28 which will see an average increase of 3.77 per cent to property taxes, with the average homeowner paying roughly $138 more per year.
The tax increased passed last Thursday was slightly lower than the 3.9 per cent increase that was proposed from the City of Ottawa's audit, budget and finance committee. The budget passed in a 22-2 vote.
"I would have liked to see it come down a little more," said Orléans Coun. Bob Monette. "It's not the ideal rate, but it takes into account there were no major cuts to any of the important services."
Council was able to save 46 bus routes, many in Orléans, from being cut. Residents are still facing a 7.5 increase in transit fares which will happen in March.
Coun. Monette said with Orléans having the highest number of transit users than any other area in Ottawa, it was important to maintain the bus services especially after Ottawa had a lengthy OC Transpo strike at the end of 2008 and early part of 2009.
"I was ecstatic," said the east end councillor. "I was really pleased that we were able to keep the bus routes not only in Orléans, but across the city. We need to improve people's feelings about OC Transpo and if we want to win back the confidence from the public, we shouldn't be cutting any services."
Crime Prevention Ottawa was also saved and will receive the same amount of funding it did last year with just over $500,000.
"We have a very safe community in Orléans, and Crime Prevention Ottawa has been important to that fact," added Monette. "It's something that I felt needed to be maintained and should be supported."
University students will get their U-Pass as long as a vote is made in campus to add a $145 per semester buss pass tuition in their statements. Councillors voted for the U-Pass as a pilot project for two semesters.
In order to offset some costs on proposed cuts, council decided to scrap $935,00 in computer improvements, $2 million in repair work for Lansdowne Park, $425,000 in corporate business travel, $260,000 in the auditor general's budget and $80,000 in maintenance for hand sanitizers.
Council also decided to defer plans to expand the Green Bin Program to medium density facilities in 2010, which is an additional $940,000 in savings.
Ottawa residents are facing a water and sewer rate increase of one per cent.
Innes Coun. Rainer Bloess, who was one of two councillors who did not support the budget, was unavailable for comment at press time.
ajhalli@thenowemc.ca
