This news release was published on December 8, 2015. The information in this news release may be out of date and some links may be broken.
Ville de Gatineau
News release
2016 Budget: Gatineau stays the course!
Gatineau, December 8, 2015. – Gatineau Municipal Council today adopted its 2016 budget based on the theme of Staying the Course.
Quick facts
A balanced budget
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The 2016 balanced budget is in the order of $564.8 million.
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The tax increase for 2016 is 2.9%, which is equivalent to $73 for a median residential tax account (on a property assessed at $237,700).
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The tax increase contains two components: - 1.9% corresponding to the Bank of Canada target consumer price index (CPI). This component being geared to maintaining service levels and infrastructures; and - 1% fully dedicated to infrastructure catch-up, for which this component has so far provided $36 million.
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At 2.6%, the 2016 increase in operating expenditures will be the lowest since the merger.
The Commission de révision des dépenses et des services
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The Commission's objective is to identify $15 million in recurrent savings by 2018.
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Since 2013, $10.2 in recurrent savings have been achieved, along with efficiency improvements.
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As well, more than $5.8 million in costs with no budget impact have been avoided: - by cutting back on the use of equipment, or changing the type of equipment used; and - through organizational restructuring within existing budgetary envelopes.
The debt is under control
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Gatineau will continue to manage its debt prudently.
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Estimated at $570.5 million in 2015, the debt should decrease for a second consecutive year, by $4.2 million in 2016.
Investment program
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$346 million in investments over three years, including $115 million in 2016: - road repairs: $26.4 million - water supply and sewer system repairs: $15.2 million - municipal buildings: $8.8 million - plants and pumping stations: $31 million - residential renovations and social housing: $3 million - active transportation development: $5.4 million - traffic calming measures, new sidewalks and intersection repairs: $1.9 million
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Two key commercial arteries will be completely rebuilt by 2020: - $20 million for rue Notre-Dame - $44 million for boulevard Saint-Joseph
Quote
“With three budgets already under its belt, I am very proud of the key changes our Municipal Council has brought to our approach. The budget process is now carried out with the greatest thoroughness. This year, and until the end of our mandate, our number one mission will be to stay the course on the priorities we have set for ourselves. We will also have to ensure that the projects underway are completed, and that residents are kept informed about our progress,” indicated Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin.
Recognized for its quality of life, Gatineau is a city of 298,000 inhabitants. It is located on the north shore of the Ottawa River, and extends east and west of the Gatineau River.
