2015 Budget at a Glance

Maintaining Momentum
An Affordable City
A Caring City
A Sustainable City
A Prosperous City

Maintaining Momentum

Budget highlights
The 2015 budget provides the foundation from which City Council can continue
to invest in and build a city that is affordable, caring, sustainable and prosperous
for all residents. It maintains investments in the ongoing major projects that are
currently reshaping and improving our city, while setting the course towards
meeting the future needs of residents and businesses.
While this budget builds on the Citys momentum of progressing toward a more
liveable city, it also includes funding to address the current needs of residents by
improving mobility, supporting a new crime prevention strategy and increasing
affordable housing to address the needs of our most vulnerable residents.
The budget provides stability for City Council as it establishes its 2015-2018 Term
of Council Priorities this spring. The priorities are the framework in which the
City will continue to develop sound and fiscally responsible plans for 2016 and
beyond.

2015 budget will deliver:

An Affordable City
Hold the line on current spending, while keeping tax revenue increases to
1.75 per cent the lowest increase in eight years, which translates to a
2 per cent increase for a residential property.
n

Limit the Rate-Supported Water and Sewer Charge increase to

6 per cent, as approved in the latest Long Range Financial Plan.
n

n Freeze

garbage fees for the third consecutive year.

Limit the average OC Transpo fare increase to 2.5 per cent, while also
providing a $4.2-million investment in new and improved
service including increasing bus routes and approximately 5,700 more
Para Transpo trips.
20 full-time equivalent (FTE) City positions, excluding Ottawa
Police Services. This will be the fourth consecutive budget that reduces the
number of FTEs for a total of 228 since 2012.

n Reduce

Maintaining Momentum

A Caring City
Fund a strategy for crime prevention and gang activity.

Increase funding for maintenance of Ottawa Community Housing

Corporation assets.
n

Enhance and increase funding for the Adult School Crossing Guard
Program.
n

Deliver funding for commemoration of the victims of the tragic September

2013 bus-train collision.

Involve the City in the renewal of the Ottawa Pride Festival.

A Sustainable City
Support the 2013 Ottawa Cycling Plan, which will see the expansion and
improvement of cycling networks and multi-use pathways across the city to
make cycling a safe and convenient option for residents.
n

Move the Ottawa River Action Plan forward with the construction of the
central storage tunnel, putting in place the last elements of funding from
federal partners to match investments from the City and Province.
n

Increase funding for tree planting by $125,000 to 1.3 million.

A Prosperous City
Modernize Ottawas transit system through Light Rail Transit (Stage 1
and Stage 2).
n

Continue the construction of the Confederation Line, the light-rail transit

line from Blair Station to Tunneys Pasture, which is the backbone of the Citys
planned light rail network.
n

Prepare for the transition from construction of the Confederation Line to

full operation in 2018.
n

Launch the Western Transitway expansion as the City continues to seek

funding for Stage 2 of the Light Rail Transit system that will extend
to neighbourhoods in the east, west, and south.
n

Maintaining Momentum

New Term of Council Priorities

Early in 2015, City Council will develop a City Strategic Plan for the four-year
(2015-2018) Term of Council that will provide the framework for Council and
City staff decision-making and guide future budgets. It will ensure City programs
and services continue to address the changing needs of the community.
Since the Term of Council Priorities will be finalized after the 2015 budget is
adopted, funding envelopes of $5.4 million in the City Managers Office budget
and $32 million in the capital budget have been identified to fund newly
established Strategic Initiatives. This totals an investment of $37.4 million.
These envelopes allow for flexibility over the coming year to ensure public funds
spent correspond with priorities once they are set.
The Strategic Initiatives are expected to include:
n

Housing and homelessness

The Citys transit plan

Neighbourhood road safety, including pedestrian and cycling mobility

n Ottawa 2017 Celebration of Canadas 150th birthday
n

Economic development, specifically the growth of tourism and small

businesses
n

Ottawa River cleanup

Increasing forest cover

Accountability and oversight on spending, procurement and contract

management
n

Accessibility initiatives

Energy management

Arts and culture

Recreation services

Maintaining Momentum

Property Tax Revenue Changes

4.9

4.9

4
3.9
2.45

2.39

2.09

1.91

1.75

0
2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2015

2014

Property Tax Impact

Urban Home

Average Assessment
$355,000

Area

City Wide

2014

2015

Rural Home

Commercial Property

Average Assessment
$355,000
2014

2015

Average Assessment
$283,100
2014

2015

2,138

2,183

1,975

2,016

3,268

3,306

Police

542

553

542

553

827

841

Transit

577

589

174

177

890

906

82

82

82

82

3,339

3,406

2,773

2,828

4,985

5,053

Garbage Fee
TOTAL

$ Change

67

55

68

% Change

2.00%

2.00%

1.37%

Maintaining Momentum

An Affordable City
Effective budget management is a delicate balance between providing residents
with optimal service, programs, building or renewing necessary infrastructure and
holding the line on rising inflationary and operational costs to minimize the
impact on the taxpayer. This budget takes a fiscally responsible approach to
making Ottawa a liveable and vibrant city that is well positioned nationally and
internationally to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Tax Rate
This budget holds the line on current spending and maintains the trend of the
past few years in stabilizing tax-rate increases at lower levels. It proposes a
1.75 per cent tax revenue increase the lowest in eight years, which translates
to a 2 per cent increase for a residential property.
City staff will be reviewing the 2016 to 2018 operational plans for each service
area and identifying measures that need to be implemented in order to ensure that
Councils target of keeping the annual tax revenue increase to 2 per cent or less
can be achieved.
Transit Fares
Budget 2015 proposes to limit the average OC Transpo Fare increase to
2.5 per cent, while also providing a $4.2-million investment in new and improved
service, including adding approximately 5,700 more Para Transpo trips.
Water and Sewer Rate
This budget proposes capping the water and sewer increase at 6 per cent
translating into a $48 per year increase for each household. The water and sewer
rate is in accordance to the City of Ottawas Long Range Financial Plan to finance
capital projects, the Ottawa River Action Plan, and manage aging water and sewer
infrastructure.
Recreation User Fees
Over the past four years, recreation fees have remained unchanged, while the cost
of delivering these programs and facilities has increased. This budget proposes to
limit the fee increase to 2 per cent with an effective date of either May 1 or
September 1, depending on the program.
Garbage Fees
In 2013, the garbage fee was reduced by 11 per cent from $93 to $82 for each
Ottawa household. Budget 2015 proposes that this lower rate remain in effect for
a third consecutive year.

Maintaining Momentum

A Caring City
As Ottawa moves towards becoming a more livable city as a result of
infrastructure and transportation investments, the 2015 budget demonstrates the
Citys ongoing commitment to addressing the current needs of all residents in our
community. The budget provides support for Ottawas most vulnerable residents
by removing barriers that prevent inclusion and by protecting the health and
safety of all residents.
Affordable Housing and Homelessness
The budget continues the Citys $14 million commitment towards its 10-year
Housing and Homelessness Plan, in addition to increased funding of $3.1 million
for the maintenance of the Ottawa Community Housing Corporation assets. A
capital investment of $19 million for affordable housing is also proposed.
Guns and Gangs Exit Strategy
In 2013, Ottawa Police Services reported that the crime rate in Ottawa decreased
by 11 per cent. The reduction of break and enters led the way with a 20 per cent
drop. While these figures demonstrate that Ottawa remains a safe community, a
spike in gang-related gun violence between members occurred in 2014.
This budget contains $400,000 to allow the City to work in partnership with
Ottawa Police Services and Crime Prevention Ottawa to determine and develop
an effective exit strategy for gang members including employment and training
strategies.
Neighbourhood Road Safety
As the City continues to build and improve our transportation network, the
amount of traffic on our roads and the way we use them is changing. The 2015
budget allocates funding for road safety infrastructure that is tailored to meet the
specific needs of each ward, which will promote safety among all road users
(cyclists, pedestrians, motorists).
The strategic budget funding envelope will allot funding to ward-based,
community road safety initiatives that will enhance the safety of roads. A funding
increase will also augment the Adult School Crossing Guard Program.

Maintaining Momentum

Accessibility
The 2015 budget will continue the necessary funding to ensure the City of
Ottawa meets the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities
Act. The provincial legislation legally requires Ontario organizations to meet
specified accessibility standards under five areas: customer service, employment,
information and communications, transportation and the design of public spaces.
In addition, a number of accessibility initiatives will be assigned to the Strategic
Initiative budget allotment, including funds to retrofit various city assets.

A Sustainable City
Ottawa is renowned for its abundant greenspace and the easy access residents
have to natural environments within and around the city. The budget continues
to uphold a vision of a sustainable and healthy community that protects our
natural environment and preserves and increases greenspace. It provides
investments that encourage an active lifestyle and provide residents with multiple
safe and convenient options for getting around the city.
Cycling
The budget will continue to support the 2013 Ottawa Cycling Plan, which will
expand and improve our cycling and multi-use pathways and will close gaps in
our transportation network. Connecting pathway networks between communities
will make it safer and easier for residents to bike or walk to where they want to go
in the city.
Among other projects, the 2015 budget includes funding for consolidating the
East-West Bikeway, widening Greenbank Road, ongoing construction of the
pedestrian and cycling bridge over the Rideau River to connect Somerset and
Donald Streets and the completion of the pedestrian and cycling bridge over
Highway 417 near Coventry Road.
Ottawa River Action Plan (ORAP)
The Ottawa River and our many waterways are part of our communitys heritage
and scenic beauty, essential for our daily consumption, and are an invaluable
habitat for thousands of species of fish, birds and mammals. The budget will
continue funding the Ottawa River Action Plan and efforts to protect the Ottawa
River and the 4,500 kilometres of waterways including four major rivers, four
major tributaries and hundreds of creeks and streams that run through this
community.

Maintaining Momentum

Much work has been completed since ORAP started in 2010. With the
longer-term, multi-year project continuing, projects will continue to build on
those achievements, including an 80 per cent reduction in combined sewer
overflows into the waterways. The budget also allots funding to help move
forward with the construction of the central storage tunnel, a project aimed at
further reducing runoff and protecting the purity of the Ottawa River. The final
elements of funding will be put in place from federal partners to match that of
the City and Province.
Tree Programs
In addition to the Citys forestry efforts with tree planting in new communities
and replenishing the many areas and neighbourhoods that were ravaged by the
Emerald Ash Borer, the City of Ottawa will also partner with Ecology Ottawa for
Tree Ottawa a special community effort to plant one million trees by 2017. The
forestry budget has been increased by $125,000, resulting in a total $5.6 million
funding for trees.

A Prosperous City
The 2015 budget provides continued and strategic funding for key capital and
operational projects that create a liveable Ottawa and a strong, diverse economy
that attracts investment, tourism, and an experienced and talented workforce.
Light Rail Transit (Stage 1 and Stage 2)
The budget continues ahead on the modernization of Ottawas transit system by:
n

Continuing the construction of the Confederation Line, the light-rail transit

line from Blair Station to Tunneys Pasture.

Planning the transition from construction to full operations including fare

control and operational control centre.

Going forward with the Western Transitway expansion.

Continuing to work on the Stage 2 plan of the enhanced transportation system

to reach neighbourhoods in the east, west, and south.

Maintaining Momentum

Tourism and Welcoming the World in 2017

Funding will continue to support the Citys "Bid More, Win More, Host More"
economic development strategy, showcasing Ottawa on the national and
international stage. Major events hosted here attract tourism and investment to
the local economy.
Funding is also included to host a Tourism Summit in 2015 to develop long-term
growth strategies for Ottawas third-largest industry. Each event also builds
momentum, setting up Ottawa as the national centre of attention for Canadas
150th birthday celebrations in 2017.
Redevelopment of Arts Court and Ottawa Art Gallery
The budget will fund the redevelopment of Arts Court and the Ottawa Art Gallery,
with work beginning this year. This is a major centrepiece in the Rideau Street Arts
Precinct of Ottawas centre core, cultivating the citys local art, culture and talent.
Arts and culture accentuate the quality of life in any major city, and this will be a
key feature to attract and retain business, investment and talent into our local
economy.
Innovation Centre at Bayview
With economic resiliency and diversity being keys to our citys growth, the budget
will continue to fund the economic momentum built from the efforts of Invest
Ottawa. The commencement of the Innovation Centres development will expand
the current works of Invest Ottawa for incubation and support of new start-ups and
entrepreneurs. This budgetary funding is a key investment to the backbone to our
economy: small businesses, which are major contributors to job growth in the local
market.

Investing in Our Future

The City continues to invest in infrastructure that is essential to our ongoing
prosperity by renewing our existing assets and building new infrastructure that will
result in a more livable city by 2031. Work is underway on the Confederation Line
light rail transit project, which is the most ambitious infrastructure project
undertaken by the City since the construction of the Rideau Canal.
The 2015 budget proposes $689.1 million in tax-and-rate supported capital projects
across the city. Of that total, $448 million consists of city-wide projects and
$241 million for projects that are ward specific or span several wards.
More than half the total capital budget is allocated to investing in the renewal of
road, water and wastewater assets.

Maintaining Momentum

City-wide Projects Include:

n

$122 million for wastewater services, including $105.5 million for renewal of
wastewater treatment assets and $9.2 million for stormwater management
retrofits.
n

$104.9-million investment in transit services, including $60.6 million for

renewal of transit assets, including bus refurbishments, Transitway projects and
signals. There is also $4.2 million for 2014 and 2015 for increased bus service,
Para Transpo trips and the Trillium Line.

$45.3 million for renewal and growth of various City water treatment assets.

$43.2 million for transportation services, including $18.6 million for city-wide
road resurfacing, $2.4 million for major street lighting replacements and $2.8
million for new traffic control devices.

$32 million for Strategic Initiatives to be determined by City Council.

$19-million capital investment in affordable housing.

$15.7 million for renewal of fleet assets.

$9.1 million for solid waste investments, including $7 million for landfill
capping.
n

$4.9 million for renewal of Paramedic Services assets.

$2.7 million for renewal of security and emergency management assets,

including $2.35 million for a new corporate radio system.

$2.5 million for renewal of fire service assets.

$2.5 million for renewal of Parks, Recreation and Culture assets.

$2.1 million for a Library Strategic Initiative for the radio frequency
identification (RFID) project.

$1.7 million for renewal of the City of Ottawas Information Technology

infrastructure.
n

$1.3 million for lifecycle renewal of the Tree Program.

$403,000 for renewal of Long Term Care assets.

Maintaining Momentum

10

2015 Tax Supported Revenue

$3.073 Billion - By Funding Sources
Reserves
3.0%

Fees & Services Charges

25.3%
Other
1.7%

Federal/Provincial/
Municipal Grant
17.0%
Payment In
Lieu of Taxes
6.1%

Property Taxes
46.9%

2015 Tax Supported Expenditures

$3.073 Billion - By Services
Water/Sewer
10.6%
Ottawa Police Services
9.5%
Ottawa Public Library
1.6%
Public Health
1.8%
Capital
Formation Costs
8.9%
Roads/Traffic/
Parking/Forestry
6.0%
Transit Service
15.6%

Maintaining Momentum

General Government
7.1%
Parks, Recreation, Cultural
& Building Services
7.3%
Emergency &
Protective Services
8.5%
Planning, Building Code
& Community Sustainability
2.6%
Community & Social Services
13.2%
Housing Services
5.2%
Solid Waste
2.2%

11

Budget Process and Public Consultation

The annual budget guides how the City will fund projects, programs and services
for the year to come. The publics input in the budget process is essential to
ensuring that the budget reflects the needs of Ottawa residents. There are several
key dates in the budget process and many ways you can have your say.
February 4
Tabling of the 2015 operating and capital tax-supported budgets.
February 17 to March 5
All Standing Committees, Boards and Commissions meet to consider their 2015
budgets. Public delegations are invited to attend these meetings.
March 11
Council will consider for approval 2015 budget recommendations received from
all Committees of Council and relevant Boards at its regularly scheduled City
Council meeting on Wednesday, March 11.

Maintaining Momentum

12

How You Can Have Your Say on The 2015 Budget

1.

Attend one of the four regional bilingual public consultations

Central District

South District

7 to 9 p.m.
City Hall, Andrew S. Haydon Hall
110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa

Wednesday, February 11
7 to 9 p.m.
Nepean Sportsplex, Hall A
1701 Woodroffe Avenue, Nepean

West District

East District

Monday, February 9

Tuesday, February 10
7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Holy Trinity Catholic High School
Cafetorium
180 Katimavik Road, Kanata

Thursday, February 12
7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Shenkman Arts Centre
Richcraft Theatre
245 Centrum Boulevard, Orlans

The Central District consultation will be available live in French on TV Rogers,

Cble 23.
It will air in English on Rogers TV, Cable 22 on Tuesday, February 10 at noon and
again on Thursday, February 12 at noon.
The Central District consultation will include assistive listening devices and
simultaneous translation. The East District consultation will include simultaneous
translation. If any accessibility requirements, such as ASL sign language
interpretation or CART services, are needed, please call the Citys Accessibility
Coordinator at 613-580-2424, ext. 16654, or email accessibilityoffice@ottawa.ca.
If you are unsure about which consultation to attend, contact your City Councillors
office.
2.

Register as a public delegation at a Standing Committee, Board or Commission

budget review meeting

Members of the public can make a five-minute presentation to Standing

Committees, Boards and Commissions at meetings taking place from February 17
to March 5. Presentations on specific subjects must be brought to the Standing
Committee, Board or Commission that is responsible for that subject.

Maintaining Momentum

13

To register in advance of the meeting or to find out which meeting you should
attend for the subject you want to address, contact the relevant Committee
Coordinator through ottawa.ca or by calling 3-1-1.
Presenters are encouraged to provide a copy of their presentation electronically in
advance of the meeting. All meetings will be held at Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier
Avenue West, Champlain Room.
Dates
Environment Committee Tax-supported

Tuesday, February 17, 9:30 a.m.

Transit Commission Wednesday, February 18, 9:30 a.m.
Community and Protective Services Committee

Thursday, February 19, 9:30 a.m.

IT Sub-committee Monday, February 23, 2 p.m.

Police Services Board Monday, February 23, 5 p.m.

Planning Committee Tuesday, February 24, 9:30 a.m.

Audit Committee Thursday, February 26, 9:30 a.m.

Public Health Board Monday, March 2, 5 p.m.
Finance and Economic Development Committee

Tuesday, March 3, 9:30 a.m.

Ottawa Public Library Tuesday, March 3, 5 p.m.

Transportation Committee Wednesday, March 4, 9:30 a.m.
Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee
3.

Contact your City Councillor

4.

Email budget2015@ottawa.ca

5.

Tweet @ottawacity using hashtag #ottbudget

6.

Thursday, March 5, 9:30 a.m.

Call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or fax 613-560-2126

Rural residents call 613-580-2400

For full information on the 2015 budget, visit ottawa.ca/budget2015.

Maintaining Momentum

14

ottawa.ca/budget2015
Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request.

Maintaining Momentum