After a marathon five-hour meeting Wednesday, city councillors passed the 2017 city budget with a 3.6 per cent tax increase, or about $100 a year for the average home.
Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger was all smiles after the meeting, touting the nearly $230 million in capital spending planned for next year, an increase of almost $125 million compared to last year.
They were able to boost the budget thanks to a surge in federal and provincial infrastructure funding, Bigger said, with more expected in the coming years.
“This really has been an historic budget,” Bigger said.
Councillors also made a little history when they voted to approve the first of the four big projects they want to pursue. They approved $5 million for the Place des arts, a shared arts facility for francophones -- as well as for other artists in the city. The downtown arts complex would include a French art gallery and 300-seat theatre located in what is now a public parking lot at the corner of Elgin and Larch streets.
To get the $5 million, organizers must get funding from the provincial and federal governments, and agree to a detailed review of their operations each year.
“This is a commitment from council conditional on getting funding from other sources,” Bigger said. “And we've been able to find the $5 million without an impact on the tax levy.”
That's because property tax assessment revenue was $240,000 higher than forecast, and provincial grants were cut by $110,000 less than predicted. The combined funds will be used to pay the costs of debt financing the $5 million.
“I support this 100 per cent,” said Ward 5 Coun. Rene Lapierre.“They've shown us their plan is solid … This building will help transform our city.”
“Anyone will have access to it,” said Ward 1 Coun. Mark Signoretti, pointing out it won't just be a place for French speaking Sudburians.
Ward 9 Coun. Deb McIntosh said the city's $5 million will leverage $25 million from upper levels of government.
“So that money doesn't flow until they have the $25 million in their pocket,” McIntosh said.
“As part of the francophone community of the city, I'm very, very proud,” said Ward 12 Coun. Joscelyne Landry-Altmann.
“This is for everyone.”
