Budget shock will be reduced slightly by provincial funding.
Deputy Mayor Tanya Vrebosch says that the City heard from MPP Vic Fedeli that the province is maintaining the current structure of Ontario Municipal Partnership Funding.
"The Minister of Finance announced in a letter to municipalities (Wednesday) that the Province will be maintaining the current structure of the OMPF for 2019 as well as Transitional Assistance," says Vrebosch in a statement to CKAT news. "This means that the program and funding will remain virtually the same as in 2018, while allowing for annual data updates and related adjustments."
It's good news for beleaguered taxpayers.
"The City of North Bay relies on this grant and we are very pleased the Province is going to maintain the current structure of the OMPF," says Vrebosch. "We were anticipating a reduction in revenue of approximately $500,000. This news will help us to bring down our estimated levy budget."
"We would like to thank Minister Fedeli for his advocacy on this very important issue," Vrebosch adds.
It will bring down the tax levy about a half a percent.
Taxpayers were looking at a hefty 7.93 per cent levy increase as the starting point of the process.
Budget discussions continue this week and next.
