Capital budget approved, Hamilton water rates rise

Hamilton households will, on average, pay an additional $30 next year to support infrastructure upgrades.

City Council has approved the 2018 capital budget which supports $236-million worth of investment in roads, bridges, sidewalks, recreation facilities, affordable housing and other infrastructure.

City Council has also approved a 4.5 per cent increase to water and wastewater rates next year.

Get weekly money news

Get expert insights, Q&A on markets, housing, inflation, and personal finance information delivered to you every Saturday.

Sign up for weekly money newsletter Get Started

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

That will hike the average resident’s bill by $29.75 over the course of the year, to $690.70 for a household consuming 200 cubic metres of water.

The water rate increase supports Hamilton Harbour clean up and a number of homeowner assistance programs, including basement flood prevention and lead service replacement.

2018 Tax-Supported Capital Budget Highlights

• $68.5 million towards Roads, bridges, traffic, sidewalks
•  $14.2 million towards Roads growth
•  $26.4 million towards Corporate and recreation facilities rehabilitation
•  $25.8 million towards West Harbour Strategic initiatives
•  $19.4 million towards Transit initiatives
•  $11.5 million towards Affordable Housing Initiatives
•  $8.2 million towards Fire and Paramedic Services
•  $7.9 million towards Open Space Development
•  $7.7 million towards Vehicle replacement
•  $7.2 million towards Entertainment facility rehabilitation
•  $4.6 million towards Waste Management initiatives
•  $4.3 million towards Forestry and Horticulture