While the Timmins budget was passed months ago, this year's tax rates have now been set.
The residential tax rate increase is 2.86 per cent over 2023, with the median increase being $106.82.
The overall municipal levy increase in 2024 is 3.89 per cent, which puts the net levy at $81.9 million, up from $78.8 million in 2023. Three per cent of that increase is the municipal portion approved earlier this year. The rest is the budget increases from agencies, boards and commissions (ABCs) that the city pays into.
While the city aims to approve the budget early in the year, the tax rates aren't usually set until the spring when the education rates and ABC budgets are known.
Coun. Bill Gvozdanovic noted that one per cent of the municipal portion of 2.86 per cent tax rate is for the Golden Manor, which is being redeveloped.
"I'm not gonna get into the ABCs, it's time to move on ... it's a fair budget. The administration did a great job," he told council at the April 30 meeting.
Council denied the ABC budgets in February, asking the organizations to get the increases closer to the three per cent that the city achieved.
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Six ABCs impact the Timmins budget. Three groups reduced their budget, and one was already at the target three per cent. The Porcupine Health Unit and Cochrane District Social Services Board (CDSSAB) refused lowering their hikes. They are two of the three boards chaired by Timmins Mayor Michelle Boileau.
Coun. John Curley also sits on the PHU and CDSSAB boards. He shared his disappointment that the boards didn't review the budgets.
"I just want to clarify that the exercise was done in looking at whether or not there were further cost-saving measures possible, and it was determined at those boards that there weren't considering their mandates, their district-wide catchment areas and the programs, provincial programs that they are mandated with administering and delivering," said Boileau.
While the item was brought up at both boards, Curley said the administration of the respective organizations weren't directed to take a look at the numbers.
"So the clarification was that administrative reports were received by both boards explaining the cost-saving measures that had already been taking place, the mitigation efforts and that there were no further savings that were possible, agreed upon by the board. Now, in my role as chair of the meeting, I've concluded the discussion, we'll go to the vote," said Boileau.
The ABC budget increases for 2024 are:
- Mattagami Region Conservation Authority - 3 per cent ($18,500) increase for a total 2024 budget of $636,500. This is the same increase originally proposed to the city and is in line with the increase asked for by council.
- Timmins Public Library - 2.82 per cent, down from the 5.10 per cent originally proposed.
- Timmins Economic Development Corporation - 3 per cent, down from the originally 6.46 per cent.
- Porcupine Health Unit - 10 per cent ($159,122) increase for a total budget of $1.7 million. This is the same increase originally proposed to the city.
- Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board (CDSSAB) - 6.56 per cent ($735,925) increase for a total budget of $11.9 million. This is the same increase originally proposed to the city.
- Timmins Police Services Board - 3 per cent increase, down from the 3.7 per cent increase originally proposed.
In a recorded vote, councillors Curley and Lorne Feldman were opposed to the tax rates. Boileau and councillors Gvozdanvic, Kristin Murray and Rock Whissel voted in favour of the tax rates.
Councillors Steve Black, Andrew Marks, and Cory Robin were not at the meeting.
