Tax Dollars : Ward Priorities
Tax Dollars
This page is dedicated to enhancing the understanding of the City of Winnipeg budget, budget process and what we are receiving for our tax dollars.

2018 Budget Highlights for South Winnipeg-St. Norbert Ward
The 2018 Budget Working Group at City Hall consisted of Mayor Bowman, Deputy Mayor Gerbasi and Acting Deputy Mayor Allard as well as Councillors Gillingham, Gilroy, Mayes, Pagtakhan, Orlikow and Morantz. Members of Council who were not part of the Budget Working...

Paying for the South Winnipeg Recreation Complex: Impact Fees, City Taxes or ??
On December 5, 2017, many residents spoke to Mayor Bowman and his Executive Policy Committee about the need for recreation in South Winnipeg. On multiple times, Mayor Bowman said impact fees could ‘possibly’ go towards funding a recreation center. It's important to...

2018 Preliminary Budget – Councillor’s Comments
Every year, I update South Winnipeg-St. Norbert Ward residents on the City's Budget and will do so again this year. The 2018 Preliminary Budget was just released yesterday (November 22, 2017), and I am currently reading and reviewing the information. I was not part of...

Winnipeg Transit – Preliminary Budget 2018
As I am not a member of the Mayor's Executive Policy Committee, I was not involved at all in crafting and balancing the City of Winnipeg's 2018 Preliminary Budget. This is important to note as I now am reviewing the budget in detail and am having meetings with the...

2018 Property Assessments Issued
Every property owner in Winnipeg will receive a 2018 Property Assessment Notice in June, 2017. Below are some commonly asked questions regarding the assessments: What is a general assessment? The Province of Manitoba's Municipal Assessment Act requires the City to...

2017 Property Tax Bills Issued
Property Tax Bills have been mailed to property owners within the City of Winnipeg. Included with the 2017 Tax Bills is information on how property taxes are calculated, methods of payment, penalties for late payments and telephone numbers for customer service...

2017 Budget Reduced for Parks & Urban Forestry Department
In the City of Winnipeg's approved 2017 budget, there was no increase in funding for the City's Parks & Urban Forestry department. Rather, there was a decrease of approximately $200,000. I have been raising the issue of increasing funding for Parks & Urban...

2017 Budget Highlights (South Winnipeg-St. Norbert)
I was involved in initial budget discussions when I was a member of the Mayor’s Executive Policy Committee (EPC). Following my removal from EPC in late 2016, I was no longer part of further 2017 budget discussions, but did actively present views at Standing Policy...

Register to Speak on Winnipeg’s 2017 Proposed Budget
Winnipeggers will have the opportunity to speak to members of City Council regarding the 2017 proposed budget and express their thoughts on three separate occasions during the month of December, 2016. NOTE: If you wish to speak, you must register in advance. For...

Waverley West Impact Fees – Public Open House
Waverley West Impact Fees – Public Open House Learn how Winnipeg's new Impact Fees will affect the communities of Waverley West: Date: Wednesday, February 8, 2017 Time: Registration 6:30 pm; Presentation 7:00 pm Place: Waverley Heights Community Centre, 1885...

My Council Speech on Impact Fees Vote
At today's City Council meeting, the important issue of growth/impact fees was voted upon. After 5 hours of delegations and discussion, the motion to implement these fees passed with a vote of 10 to 6. Voting in opposition were myself, Councillors Gillingham (St....

Provide YOUR Input on 2017 City Budget and Priorities
if you missed my 2017 Budget Consultation on October 13, don't worry! It's NOT too late to provide input on the City's 2017 budget and priorities. There are additional ways for you to provide feedback: Consultations are being held in other locations across...

Growth Fees – Update #4
Continuing on with my regular update/perspective on the important topic of growth fees. It’s been incredibly busy at City Hall this fall: the start-up of committee meetings (over 50 reports in the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works...

Growth Fees – Update #3
Prior to being elected in 2014, I had worked with departments and leaders at the City of Winnipeg for 14 years on a wide range of community focused initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for all Winnipeggers. For anyone who’s ever worked with a large...

The PROCESS of Engaging in Meaningful Discussions with All Stakeholders – Update #2
As outlined in my earlier blog on funding growth in Winnipeg (see Ward Priorities - Taxes), I’m anticipating the Hemson report will become available to the public, if not this week, then very soon. I hope Winnipeggers will take time to follow this very important...

Funding Growth in Winnipeg – Update #1
Every Saturday in August, I find a table at the St. Norbert Farmers’ Market and invite visitors to stop by and share their thoughts and ideas with me. As you can well imagine, each Saturday brings completely different topics of conversation and perspectives. ‘Growth...

Funding for Winnipeg Transit and Watermains
On July 25, 2016, the Federal Government announced major funding for projects across Manitoba! The City of Winnipeg will be receiving $79.4 million for transit initiatives, as well as $4.1 million in federal-provincial funds to upgrade watermains in Transcona. Based...

Growth Study for the City of Winnipeg
The City of Winnipeg is in the process of examining how growth and new developments impact the City’s existing infrastructure and civic services. My thanks to the Winnipeg Free Press for covering this important story. City seeks study on infrastructure costs...

2016 Property Tax Bills
Approximately 226,000 property tax bills are being mailed on May 5. The tax bill will include brochures with information regarding methods of payment and penalties for late payment, the City’s investment in infrastructure for 2016, and the provincial school tax credit...

Seniors’ School Tax Rebatate
If you are 65 or older and own your home, the provincial Seniors’ School Tax Rebate could mean savings for you! This program is coordinated and managed by the provincial government. To learn more, visit the website below or contact the Manitoba Tax Assistance Office...

Federal Funding for Water and Transit
I am very pleased with the recent Federal Government funding announcement which indicates Manitoba’s share will be $95.3 million for water projects. We are not clear yet as to the exact amounts which Winnipeg will be receiving, but expect to know more once the newly...

2016 Approved Budget Impact – South Winnipeg-St. Norbert Ward
I am providing an update on how the City of Winnipeg's 2016 Approved Budget impacts residents in the South Winnipeg–St. Norbert Ward. This is a high level summary presented in the context of the specific ward priorities I am focusing on. For detailed updates on each...

2016 Preliminary Budget – Update #5 (Transit)
The transit overview in the 2016 preliminary budget offers some very positive highlights and some ongoing challenges faced by Winnipeg Transit. HIGHLIGHTS The Rapid Transit multi-year funding program begins with a tax increase of .33% for 10 years Province of Manitoba...

2016 Preliminary Budget – Update #4 (Revenue Sources)
PROVINCIAL SALES TAX – FAIR SHARE AND FAIR SAY Across the Province of Manitoba, local councils in every city and town are responsible to pay for 60% of infrastructure costs. YET, local councils receive just 8 cents of each PST Dollar (Provincial Sales Tax dollar) to...

2016 Preliminary Budget – Update #3 (Ward Focused – Water and Waste, Riverbank Management & Environment)
To keep the 66,700+ residents in my ward informed, I will be providing a series of "ward specific" updates on projects impacting the 13 communities that comprise the South Winnipeg-St. Norbert Ward. Please watch my website, as additional updates will be added over...

2016 Preliminary Budget – Update #2 Combined (Water & Sewer Rates)
I’m calling this budget update Combined because while the proposed water and sewer rate increase is NOT part of the 2016 budget, funding from the proposed rate increase would be used to support 2016 roads infrastructure and operating costs. Details at the end of this...

2016 Preliminary Budget – Update #1 (Property Taxes & Frontage Levy)
Throughout this week and next, I’ll be posting a series of 2016 Capital and Operating Preliminary Budget updates on my website under Ward Priorities - Taxes. On Monday, March 7, I will provide a breakdown on my website regarding how the 2016 preliminary budget...

Register to Speak on Winnipeg’s 2016 Proposed Budget
Winnipeggers will have the opportunity to speak to members of City Council regarding the 2016 proposed budget and express their thoughts on three separate occasions during the month of March. NOTE: If you wish to speak, you must register in advance. For registration...

2016 Budget Process Update
The City of Winnipeg develops its capital and operating budgets with multi-year forecasts that help to outline the future financial direction for the City. Unlike other levels of government, the City of Winnipeg’s Charter mandates the City to pass a balanced budget by...

Your Feedback on Direction of City’s 2016 Budget
Hello, residents of South Winnipeg–St Norbert! I’m encouraging you to take some time out of your day between now and December 18, 2015 to offer input on what is important to YOU in our great City! To learn more, watch this short video: Building a Stronger Winnipeg...

City of Winnipeg 2016 Budget
Discussions and planning for the City of Winnipeg's 2016 budget are currently underway. With a projected budget shortfall of $73 million in 2016, it will be a very challenging budget. It is apparent that ongoing revenues are not enough to cover expenditures, and the...

2016 Property Assessments Issued
The 2016 Property Assessment roll is complete. Every property owner in Winnipeg will receive a 2016 Property Assessment Notice in June, 2015 and the deadline for filing an application for revision with the Board of Revision is June 25, 2015. If you wish to file an...

Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program
Protect your home against basement flooding this summer by taking advantage of the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program. The Subsidy Program, introduced by the City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba, provides homeowners with a subsidy for installing an...

Cuts to city’s budget limits ability to battle tree diseases
Too many pests and diseases, and too little cash. Cuts to the city’s budget are making it hard to battle nature’s attacks on Winnipeg’s green canopy, says a pair of councillors. Black knot and Dutch elm disease are two of the biggest threats. This year, the city has...

2015 Property Tax Bills Mailed Out
On May 7, 2015, property tax bills were mailed to all property owners in the City of Winnipeg. Any property owner who does not receive a tax statement should contact the City by calling 311 or toll free 1-877-311-4974. 2015 taxes are payable on or before Tuesday,...

2015 Business Tax Bills
Business Tax Bills have been mailed to approximately 12,450 business premises within the City of Winnipeg. Business Taxes are payable on or before Friday, May 29, 2015. For 2015, the City-wide business tax rate is a uniform 5.60% which is lower than 2014 tax rate of...

Understanding the Budget
The City of Winnipeg delivers many services and it may be challenging to understand which department does what, when and how – AND how it relates to the budget process AND to your taxes. I’ve found this Our Budget, Forward Facts booklet to be very helpful in...

2016 General Assessment for Property Owners
February 12, 2015 - A second wave of 2016 General Assessment preview letters will be mailed out to residential property owners this week. In November 2014, preview letters were sent to about half of Winnipeg’s residential property owners – this mailing will go to the...