Saving targets set by the City for amalgamation have been largely met. Quality of life has been maintained and in many ways improved. Enhanced services included an expanded litter program, improved snow clearing, more shelters, more ambulance services, more police services and more planners to meet the increasing demand of development. Innovations in service delivery and cost reductions across the City s six departments have occurred and continue. The operating budget is funded through a combination of property taxes, provincial grants, program fees and other revenues.
Property taxes account for just under half of budget revenues.
However, DCPs are only 21 per cent of the picture. The remaining 11 per cent of the budget is primarily for capital financing. New downloading from the province has significantly added to the City s operating costs and consumed savings from amalgamation. For example, changed revenue sharing in children s services has added significant costs. Additionally, the police budget is adding significant pressure to the operating budget.