Public to get a glimpse of proposed city budget

WINNIPEG — The preliminary budget for the City of Winnipeg will be tabled at a special meeting next week.

The public will get a chance to see what services will receive an increase or potentially a decrease in funding, when the Preliminary 2015 Operating and Capital Budgets is presented to the Executive Policy Committee on March 3rd.

Mayor Brian Bowman made several spending commitments during his election campaign, as well as a property tax hike tied to the consumer price index – about 2.3 per cent.

In a statement, the chair of the finance committee, Marty Morantz, said:

“There’s no doubt that creating a budget that is balanced, thoughtful and that provides strategic solutions in such a short time frame – between the civic election and the provincially legislated deadline to pass a balanced budget – was an incredible undertaking and challenge. Now that our preliminary work is complete, the key is to ensure that we provide as much time as possible for open participation and engagement with Winnipeggers. We look forward to the discussion.”

After the tabling of the budgets a number of meetings will be held to hear delegations. The list is below:

Friday March 6

• Winnipeg Police Board Meeting

Monday March 9

• Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development

Tuesday March 10

• Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development

Monday March 16

• Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works

Tuesday March 17

• Special Executive Policy Committee to hear delegations on Budgets

Wednesday March 18

• Executive Policy Committee to consider Standing Policy Committee recommendations and table final recommendations

Monday March 23

• Special Meeting of Council to pass Budgets