Toronto City Council today approved a $5.9 billion operating budget that ensures the third consecutive year of a property tax freeze. The budget not only meets all existing financial requirements to operate City services, but also enhances several programs and services by a total of almost $77 million.
Mayor Mel Lastman called the budget, "the best we've ever had. I believe this budget will do great things for our city." Budget Advisory Committee Chair Tom Jakobek said, "This is a good news budget that begins to use the muscle of the newly-amalgamated city."
CAO Michael Garrett said, "This budget process was very difficult. It required the considerable efforts of staff from across the whole corporation. I commend all involved for a superb effort." CFO and Treasurer Wanda Liczyk said, "This budget presents major savings that have allowed for significant expansion of Council's priorities in various programs and services."
Highlights of the budget include:
- Adding 675 new hostel beds at a gross cost of $15.2 M. This is a 21 per cent increase in bed nights from 1997.
- Adding 73 front-line police officers and 17 court officers, providing for a six-month community action program and approving a helicopter pilot project at a combined gross cost of $5.2 M
- Adding a total of 64 paramedics at a gross cost of $3.4 M, an increase of 21 per cent over 1997 levels
- Paying for 62 firefighters added in November from a July 1999 Council decision at a cost of $2.8 M
- Approved $13.7 M gross to implement the recommendations of the Children’s Task Force
A more detailed backgrounder on the operating budget, with charts, is available.
The operating budget faced major new costs that included $31.2 M in provincial downloading costs; the $17.1 M cost of capital projects including debt service charges; and the $4.3 M increased cost of snow removal contracts. Savings incorporated in the 2000 budget included amalgamation savings of $15.8 M (a cumulative savings of $304 M since 1998); social housing mortgage savings of $14 M; a $10.8 M net cost reduction in annual welfare costs; and $4.2 M in lower costs in solid waste management.
2000 Operating Budget Backgrounder, April 26/00
