City Council approves 2023 capital budget

City continues to invest in priorities, while balancing taxpayer affordability 

St. Catharines City Council has approved a 2023 capital budget that balances the needs of asset sustainability and addressing ongoing fiscal impacts resulting from COVID-19, while also being mindful of taxpayer affordability.

The $71.9-million capital budget, approved by Council on Monday night, includes $16.8 million to support buildings and facilities across the City, including accessibility improvements; more than $13 million for transportation projects, including roads and bridges; $11.9 million of investments in the City’s water distribution system, such as watermains; and investments in an assortment of other capital projects aligned with the City’s strategic priorities. As a result of supply chain issues and pandemic-related fiscal and monetary stimulus, the capital budget was developed with the assumption of a continued high inflationary environment. Staff have developed the budget with contingency to mitigate project risk.

“The 2023 capital budget addresses the City’s highest capital priorities while also being mindful with the challenges the City faces related to financial and operational resources required for COVID-19 recovery,” said Mayor Mat Siscoe. “Thank you to City staff for its leadership in developing a budget that not only moves St. Catharines forward, but ensures taxpayer affordability and infrastructure sustainability.”

Highlights of some of the investments in this year’s capital budget include:

• A $4.8-million investment into a phased renovation at the St. Catharines Public Library’s Central branch, which will include renovations to the basement, ground floor and second and third floors. The project will include accessibility upgrades, new universal washrooms, improved thermal properties and other green infrastructure. Staff are currently exploring available grant opportunities to help offset taxpayer impact.
• A $4.4-million investment into Martindale Pond weir replacement at the end of Henley rowing course, which will be a critical improvement ahead of the 2024 World Rowing Championships taking place in St. Catharines.
• Investment in the priorities of active transportation, climate change adaptation / mitigation and parks renewal. That will include about $6.1 million in recreation and parks renewal, including replacements of two playgrounds, two basketball courts and two tennis courts, construction of the Merritton splashpad, investments at Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre; and replacement of the turf at Kiwanis Field.
• More than $5.6 million will support investments in environmental stewardship, including tree plantings, pollution control, supporting watercourse infrastructure, shoreline protection, energy conservation and continued reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
• About $2.8 million will support active transportation projects aimed at reducing vehicular traffic, including new sidewalks, bike lanes and pedestrian crossovers.

The City also tabled its proposed 2023 operating budget on Monday night, setting the stage for a public meeting and consideration by City Council at its Jan. 16 meeting. A copy of the draft operating budget is posted on the City’s website at www.stcatharines.ca/budgets.

While the 2023 tax levy increase is proposed to be a 0.76 per cent increase, at present, given the impact of assessment growth from all property classes at 1.23 per cent, the 2023 tax levy including assessment growth is proposed at a decrease of 0.47 per cent. Based on the draft document, if unchanged the budget would result in an increase in the City portion of the property taxes on the median household (assessed value of $255,905) of just $1.61 or 0.10% annually over 2022.