Here's what would cost you more in Ottawa's draft budget - CBC.ca

City of Ottawa staff have tabled a draft budget that would add another $105 to the average property tax bill next year, but that's not the only cost for residents if the budget passes at council.

The draft budget would also raise transit fares and a long list of fees. Permits and licences would get more expensive. It would hike the average water bill by 4.3 per cent next year to about $40.91.

The cost of many recreational and cultural programs would go up by about 2.5 per cent, as would rental costs for a range of facilities such as arenas. Fees for marriage licences and death certificates would rise two per cent. 

Then there are some costs that shoot up more if the budget passes — sometimes much more. The city says fee increases are in line with the cost of providing services. 

Here are some examples:

• The base OC Transpo fare would go up 2.5 per cent, bringing a single ride from $3.70 to $3.80 by card. Paying with cash still would cost a nickel more. Some transit costs would rise more: the price of a one-day pass would shoot up 4.4 per cent, reaching $11.75.
• Garbage user fees would increase 11.5 per cent for a single family household from $130 to $145. Tipping fees for the landfill would go up 9.2 per cent for loads under 250 kilograms.
• Maximum on-street parking rates would go up 12.5 per cent from $4 to $4.50. Staff can vary specific rates, but council sets the upper limit.
• For city parking garages, hourly maximums would rise 8.3 per cent from $6 to $6.50, while the daily limit would be set at $25, an increase of 4.2 per cent.
• The cost of putting an outdoor patio on the city roadway or sidewalk would more than double from $7.54 per square metre to $15.27 per square metre.
• The cost of spaying or neutering cats and dogs would rise by about five per cent at the city-run clinic. The price for a small female dog, for example, would rise from $356 to $374. 
• Fees to dump snow at city facilities would go up 15 per cent, reaching $272.80 for semi-sized vehicles.
• The city's hotel tax would rise from four per cent to five per cent. 
• Planning applications would cost 17 per cent more in most cases, reaching as high as $114,645 for the largest subdivisions. Legal fees for planning would go up even more.
• The cost of a permit to cut down a distinctive tree would rise 7.4 per cent where no development is taking place, reaching $174. With development, the price rises by 27 per cent.
• The road cut permit fee would rise 7.6 per cent to $296 per street segment.

There are a few key fees that would remain unchanged: the late declaration fee for the vacant unit tax and the OC Transpo EquiPass for lower-income people, for example.

What does it pay for?

All told, the city budget looks to spend $4.6 billion on operations and would have to raise more revenue to pay for it.

Taxes would add $85 million. Most of that comes from the 2.5 per cent property tax hike, though roughly $34 million of that figure comes from the addition of new properties whose owners will pay taxes for the first time. 

Operating funding pays staff and provides services. Some departments will see more money than others.

Here are some of the biggest year-to-year boosts in dollars:

• Transit: $19.2 million.
• Ottawa Police Service: $13.4 million.
• Road services: $8.2 million.
• Fire services: $6.8 million.
• Paramedics: $4.8 million.

The plan is to hire 28 more paramedics and 12 more fire staff.

All told, the city expects to expand its workforce by more than 200 full-time equivalent positions next year, though that's a small share of the current 16,500. Compensation for those employees is by far the largest item in city spending.

The draft budget also devotes $1.24 billion to capital, mostly funded by reserves, debt and development charges.

Here's how much is being spent on some key projects next year:

• Zero-emission bus program: $179.7 million.
• Riverside South Recreation Complex: $66.4 million.
• Greenbank Road realignment from Chapman Mills to Barnsdale: $20.2 million.
• Road renewal projects: $98 million.
• New pathways, sidewalks and bike infrastructure: $14 million.
• Electrical upgrades for wastewater treatment centre: $21.7 million.
• New investment in affordable housing: $21.8 million.

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Here's what would cost you more in Ottawa's draft budget - CBC.ca
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