The Finance and Corporate Services Committee today approved its portion of Draft Budget 2025, which outlines key investments in City governance, Office of the City Clerk, City Manager’s Office, Rail Construction, Information Technology Services, Housing Solutions and Investment Services, Economic Development and Finance and Corporate Services as well as non-departmental expenditures. Increases in operating resource requirements for 2025 are to maintain existing services. The gross operating budget for 2025 is $874 million.
The capital budget is $33.5 million and would be funded by $29.6 million in tax and rate supported funds, $3.2 million in revenues, and $700,000 through debt. The capital investments would fund renewal of City assets, including building repairs, technology enhancements and security.
The Committee approved six applications for the Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan’s tax increment equivalent grants. The approved applications would lead to the development of up to 415 rental units priced between 81 and 100 per cent of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s average market rent.
The Committee approved the concept plan for 930 and 1010 Somerset Street and directed staff to pursue zoning and Official Plan amendments to facilitate development of the proposed community hub.
The City consulted with government agencies, non-profit service providers and Indigenous groups to inform the design. The site will include a new French-language public school and will feature a new recreation and cultural facility, a new park, the community hub and upgrades to Plant Recreation Centre. It also includes affordable housing that would add to the nearby Ottawa Community Housing project at 933 Gladstone. Staff will report back to Council by Q1 2027 with a comprehensive work plan and a funding strategy for the proposed community hub.
The Committee also approved the development of a new overarching Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Framework to streamline ongoing work at the City and make community engagement easier. The new Framework will ensure a more coordinated approach to the implementation of the Corporate Diversity and Inclusion Plan, the Women and Gender Equity Strategy and the Anti-Racism Strategy. The City is one of the few municipalities in Canada that has multiple strategies in place to advance equity for women, gender diverse and racialized persons, as well as diversity and inclusion in the workplace. While the Framework is being developed, each strategy will continue its work and associated mandates. Staff will work with the community to develop the Framework and present it to Council in 2025.
Items from today’s meeting will rise to Council on Wednesday, December 11.
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