Special Council meeting (2025 budget adoption), December 12, 2024
Attendance
Mayor Danielle Okafor-Price presided over the meeting. Councillors Marcus Lindqvist, Priya Raman, Tom Beaudry, Grace Whitlock, Arjun Sidhu, and Helen Marchetti were present. City Manager Robert Eng and City Clerk Nadia Kowalczyk attended. The meeting was livestreamed for residents who could not attend in person.
Delegations
No delegations appeared at this meeting.
Reports and decisions
Adoption of the 2025 operating budget. The Council reviewed the draft budget released earlier in the week. The budget balances at $248.5 million, with a 1.5% property tax increase and investments in winter maintenance and transit. The Mayor noted that these funds will keep our streets plowed and our buses running on time through the winter. Carried unanimously.
Adoption of the 2025 capital budget. Council approved $92.3 million in capital spending, including road resurfacing, the Northgate Aquatic Centre renovation, and floodplain upgrades along the Tamsin River. Councillor Sidhu asked for a progress update on the flood mitigation project in Riverside Flats, and the City Manager confirmed that work will begin in May. Carried unanimously.
Approval of the 2025 Fees and Charges By-law. Council adopted the schedule of user fees for recreation, parking, and waste collection, effective January 1, 2025. The Clerk reminded residents that pre-authorized payment plans are available through Service Wrenford. Carried unanimously.
Setting the date for the public information session on the 2026 budget. Council scheduled a virtual town hall for January 15, 2025, to gather resident input on future spending priorities. Residents can register to speak or ask questions through the Council meeting support page. Carried unanimously.
Review of the 2025 waste management schedule. The City Manager presented the updated collection calendar for the new year, noting that Blue Box recycling will continue on a weekly schedule while Green Bin organics will be collected biweekly. Carried unanimously.
By-laws
None were passed at this meeting.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.