Proposed 2025 Budget Directions, Timeline and Consultation Process

Council was asked to

1. The approach and timetable for consultation and consideration of the 2025 budget as outlined in the report. The following directions for developing the Draft 2025 Budget: That the municipal tax increase be set at no more than 2.9 per cent overall inclusive of the following: The City-wide tax levy, which includes funding for Library and Public Heath be increased by no more than 2.9 percent for 2025 and that Council request that the Library and Public Health Boards develop their draft budgets based on the pro rata share of this tax increase; The Police Services levy be increased by no more than 2.9 percent and that Council request that the Police Services Board develop their draft budget based on this tax increase; That the Draft 2025 Transit Budget be developed in consideration of the $120-million funding deficit identified in the Fairness for Ottawa campaign and include solutions in the following areas, depending on support from other levels of government and the work of the Transit Long-Range Financial Plan Working Group: Funding of between $0 and $120 million from the federal and provincial governments A Transit levy increase of between 2.9 and 37 per cent A fare increase between 2.5 and 75 per cent Fare discount adjustments for consideration to be itemized as part of the tabled 2025 Draft Transit Budget Operating efficiencies and/ or service reductions between $0 and $120 million Identify a list of Capital investment deferrals for consideration as part of the tabled 2025 Draft Transit Budget Identify any other levers for consideration as part of the tabled 2025 Draft Transit Budget That the assessment growth taxation revenues generated from new properties be estimated at 1.5 per cent of the current taxation for 2025 and that Council request that the Library, Public Health, Police Services Boards and the Transit Commission develop their budgets within this allocation. That City user fees and charges increase in accordance with the direction outlined in the Fiscal Framework or the Long-Range Financial Plans. That the Garbage Fee be increased in accordance with the approved Solid Waste Services Master Plan, shifting the tax portion of the funding to a fully recoverable curbside collection fee and reducing the proposed 17 per cent increase in 2025 to a seven per cent increase in 2025. That the Draft 2025 Capital Budget be developed in accordance with the direction outlined in the 2024 Development Charge (DC) Provisional Background Study, Long-Range Financial Plans and Fiscal Framework. That the Draft 2025 Rate Supported Budget be developed in accordance with the approved 2017 Long-Range Financial Plan V - Water, Wastewater and Stormwater. That the 2025 Recreation, Culture and Facility Services User Fees be approved to allow registrations and rentals sold in 2024 for 2025 to use 2025 rates, as described in this report.