The proposed 2024 Municipal Budget was released to the public today during a presentation at City Hall. This year’s budget, that forms the starting point for City Council’s detailed review, provides an increase in the municipal tax levy after growth of $12.1 million or 5.5%.

“This is the second budget that City Council will consider, developed in a post-Covid environment of high inflation, world-wide instability, and changing consumer and citizen behaviour. With this proposed budget we are maintaining programs and services and responding as best we can to external and internal pressures. Those pressures felt by residents are also felt by the Corporation of the City of Thunder Bay,” said City Manager Norm Gale.

“This budget meets City Council’s mandate. It took a lot of work by many people to put this budget together, and I thank everyone involved. We now put this proposed budget to City Council for their direction.”

“This was a collaborative effort to deliver a fiscally responsible budget in line with Council direction”, said Keri Greaves, City Treasurer. “The proposed budget addresses key priorities including elements of the Digital Strategy, Human Resources Strategy, Affordable Transit Pass Pilot Project, and the provincially mandated Organics Program. It also reinvests debt savings from the retirement of the Homes Debenture into capital infrastructure”.

Significant Budget Impacts

Favourable impacts to the tax levy include:

  • Organizational realignment and service level reduction - $2.6 million
  • User fees increases - $1.2 million
  • Other revenue increases - $2.5 million
  • Insurance premium decrease - $0.8 million

 

Unfavourable impacts to the tax levy include:

  • Community Partner increases - $4.1 million
  • Inflationary pressures and supply chain constraints - $1.1 million
  • Continued implementation of Program & Service Review recommendations and other expansions - $1.7 million

The proposed 2024 Capital financed by the tax levy budget of $20.2 million represents an increase of $1.9 million over 2023 levels. 

Get Involved

The public can get involved and give feedback to City Council on the proposed 2024 Municipal Budget the following ways:

  1. Complete an online survey, available from Jan. 19 – Feb. 7, at: www.thunderbay.ca/GetInvolved
  2. Complete a hard copy survey through the Budget Community Handbook, available to print on the City website, or by picking up copies at the Waverley and Brodie branches of the Thunder Bay Public Library, or City Hall.
  3. Join us at the Public Question and Answer Session being held Thursday, January 25th at 6 pm at the Victoria Inn – Embassy Suite, 555 W. Arthur Street. This informal session will be in person and provide an opportunity for citizens to meet Corporate Department leaders, make inquiries, and provide feedback on budget related items.

 

Council’s budget reviews will take place on January 30, February 1, 5, 7, beginning at 5 pm, with approval scheduled on February 12. To review the proposed 2024 Municipal Budget, visit: www.thunderbay.ca/budget 

For more information, contact the Office of the City Clerk at 625-2230.

  

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Contact:       Stacey Levanen, Supervisor – Corporate Communications & Community Engagement,  807-625-3650