Update: Winnipeg property taxes to go up 3.87 per cent | Metro

Open up your wallets, Winnipeggers, property taxes are going up by 3.87 per cent.

The announcement came from city hall on Wednesday. One percent of the tax increase, or about $15 a year for the average homeowner, will be dedicated strictly to infrastructure renewal.

Called the ?Local Street renewal Reserve,? a press release from the city said the new fund will increase the budget for streets by 66 per cent, to $35.86 million from $21.65 million.

Some other highlights:

? Overall $31.3 million operating budget increase to police ($22.4 million) and fire paramedic ($8.9 million) services; public safety now makes up 44% of the tax supported Operating Budget. This means one new ambulance, 12 more paramedic staff and 10 dispatchers

? 4.3 per cent operating budget increase to Winnipeg Transit

? Continued commitment to capital improvement of Assiniboine Park through a total of $66.2 million in the capital budget and forecast over the next six years, an $11.9 million operating grant in 2013, as well as a loan guarantee for $17 million for the Journey to Churchill project

? $1.9 million City contribution to a proposed $3.8 million enhanced management program for Dutch Elm Disease, subject to 50/50 cost-sharing with the Province, to protect our city?s beautiful Elm canopies

? $250,000 per year increase for continued phase-in of a one-in-ten-year tree pruning program

? a cut to some grants for non-profit groups, including the United Way and several museums, saving about $350,000

? An increase in all ward allowances by $40,000 to $117,000

? $7 million in set aside for waterparks to be split amongst community centres

Coun. Russ Wyatt, named chair of Winnipeg city council?s finance committee in November, said at the time of his nomination that he saw no recourse other than to raise property taxes because every organization, government and business, is dealing with inflationary pressures.

However, Wyatt added that city council must also make the effort to find dollars.

?If we?re raising taxes, I think it?s incumbent on us to find savings,? said Wyatt.? ?We have to find efficiencies.?

Homeowners had 14 years of a property tax freeze before a hike of 3.5 per cent in 2012.

Watch Metro Winnipeg for all the budget details.

Source: http://metronews.ca/news/winnipeg/501883/winnipeg-property-taxes-to-go-up-2-87-per-cent/

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