The City of Ottawa tabled the proposed budget for the coming year which among other things includes increased spending for transit services, infrastructure renewal and snow removal, but caps the municipal portion of the average property tax bill at three per cent.
The proposed tax hike includes a 6.4 per cent increase in the transit levy which will generate an additional $9.8 million to be spent on additional buses meant to improve connectivity to the LRT and the overall reliability of transit service.
The budget, as presented, provides an additional $22.5 million in spending for the renewal of aging roads, sidewalks and sewers; $15 million for affordable housing; and $9.9 million for winter maintenance. There is also funding for 30 additional police officers and 14 more paramedics.
On a more local level, each city council will get $100,000 over and above their office budgets to be used at their own discretion to enhance recreation or park facilities in their wards as well as $50,000 per ward for traffic calming measures.
Arts and culture groups will be happy to find out that they are getting another 2.5 per cent increase in spending along with an additional $584,000 to upgrade equipment and systems at the Shenkman Arts Centre and the Meridian Theatre.
Other highlights include $6 million to introduce electric buses into the OC Transpo fleet; $1.5 million to plant 125,000 trees as part of a long-term strategy to replace the thousands of trees that have been lost to Dutch Elm disease and the emerald ash borer; $4.4 million in increased spending for long term care facilities; and a 2.5 per cent increase in transit fares.
The proposed three per cent tax increase equates to an additional $113 for an urban dwelling assessed at $350,000, or an additional $97 for rural ratepayers with a house having the same Market Value Assessment (MVA).
It should be noted that the increase is only on the municipal portion of the property tax bill. The province sets the rate for the education portion and changes in a home's Market Value Assessment could also result in a further increase.
The proposed budget will be reviewed by the city's various standing communities over the next three weeks during which time members of the public can provide their input and committee members can suggest amendments.
The final budget will be presented to city council on Dec. 6.
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JEFF LEIPER LISTENING TOUR stop from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Stray Dog Brewing Company, 501 Lacolle Way. Come out and share ideas, raise concerns, and talk about the issues with mayoralty canddiate Jeff Leiper.
TRIVIA NIGHT from 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday night at the Royal Oak Pub Orléans. Free to play. Prizes for the winning team! The Royal Oak Pub is located at 1981 St. Joseph Blvd. near Jeanne d'Arc. For more info visit 
TRIVIA NIGHT from 6:30 p.m. at the Stray Dog Brewing Company. Exercise your grey matter before it turns to mush over the holidays. Reservations are a must to secure your spot. Send your team name and number of people to info@straydogbrewing.ca. The Stray Dog Brewing Company is located at 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park.
OPEN MIC NIGHT upstairs at the Orléans Legion, 800 Taylor Creek Dr. starting at 7 p.m. Singing, comeday, poetry and more. All level of talent welcomne. Sign up at the door. Bring some friends and have some fun.
MOTHER'S DAY TEA PARTY hosted by the Rotary Club of Orléans from 12 noon to 2 p.m. in the basement of Paroisse St-Joseph, 2757 St-Joseph Blvd. Tickets $50, $20 for children 5-12. Best fascinator contest. For more information, please contact Director of Fundraising Mashooda Syed at 613-255-0870. Money raised will go to the Columbia Learning Centre the Corner of Knowledge.
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