City tentatively approves enhancements worth $910,000

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City council has tentatively approved more than $900,000 in budget enhancements for 2010. The number isn't set in stone, as council is waiting on word from the provincial government. File photo.

City council has tentatively approved more than $900,000 in budget enhancements for 2010. The number isn't set in stone, as council is waiting on word from the provincial government. File photo.

Dec 03, 2009- 2:46 PM

By: Ed Veilleux - Sudbury Northern Life Staff

After weighing in on 42 possible budget enhancements for next year, the city's finance committee has tentatively approved 11 to go through for the 2010 Budget.

The committee has provisionally approved $910,000 worth of enhancements, which will bring the city to a proposed 2.5 per cent tax increase for 2010. The number which is not yet finalized, as information from the provincial government is still forthcoming.

“It’s important for residents to recognize that nothing has been decided in the absolute,” Mayor John Rodriguez stated in a city release.

The city is also waiting on the province in regards to Ontario Municipal Partnership fund (OMPF) money it will receive.

This could drastically affect the budget and the tax increase, according to Lorella Hayes, the city's chief financial officer.

In a worst case scenario, the city could be looking at being out in excess of $6 million. That would equal an additional three per cent tax increase, she said.

Ward 7 Coun. Russ Thompson said council has to be strict on what it approves.

“We keep saying we've got to come in at 2 per cent (tax increase) on the budget. If we're putting forth all those enhancements, there is no way it's going to happen.”

Thompson said deciding on spending money for the city should be looked at like spending personal money.

“In a year like we're going through, with this budget, with the fiscal restraints that we've got to put in place, you've got to maybe say, 'OK, not this year.' It's a lot like handling your own personal finances. It's a tough time for a lot of people in the city of Greater Sudbury right now, and I think a lot of people are having to hold off on major purchases and decisions... It's not that they're never going to make them again, its just that they can't do it this year.

“When times are tough, you've got to bite the bullet for a year.”

Among the enhancements that council has tentatively approved:

  • $260,000 in one-time funding for physician recruitment
  • $360,000 in one-time funding for emergency shelter services
  • $25,000 for four years for the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee
  • $75,000 in one-time funding for the Sudbury & District Nurse Practioners Clinic in Lively
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11 Comments

  • Its Time For A Change 12/8/2009 3:42:41 PM - Report Abuse

    Yeh J Rod get your lazy A$$ on NL or maybe make a public statement where is the $$$$$$$ going, or where is it being wasted. On the workers at 10 am already on lunch break at the subway, on the 10 or so gathered At the timmies, at the lack of supervision on work crews allowing most to stand around while one or two take their turn on a rake. Its not a lie but it is the biggest joke in sudbury. City hall is a waste case, that couldnt plan to cover up a concert scandle if they tried.

  • person_1 12/7/2009 8:26:51 PM - Report Abuse

    Hmmmm....Ask some interesting questions and still no response.....Com'on Rodriguez...Answer me....I DARE YOU!!!!
    Taxpaying minds wanna know! Where is OUR MONEY GOING!?!!!

  • Its Time For A Change 12/7/2009 9:41:32 AM - Report Abuse

    Our community council and the mayors office is a joke. This whole tax waste is disgusting. Where are we as tax payers supposed to get the extra money. Our houses are worth less, a good chunk of our employment is striking, laid off, been redundant , or moved out of town. Give your head a shake Rodriguez. Your a joke and should be run out of town. Is there any way we can hold a no confidence vote on our mayor, and maybe have thompson sit in in interim, and have JRod thrown out and the newly elected can be introduced at the next council meeting. I for one will not pay for this increase. Good day.

  • tapped out in the Nickel 12/5/2009 12:25:01 PM - Report Abuse

    In eight short years this city has defeated the purpose of amalgamation of the Region.Instead of less and less costly government(which was supposed to happen) we have more government with it growing more and more every year with a large portion of our money going out to pay salaries.We have allowed this to happen and keep accepting property tax,water and sewer rates climbing and the expansion of local government with nary a whimper.


    Something has to happen here to reduce the amount of taxes levied and a good starting point would be inhouse by reducing waste and redundancy and reducing unnessary staff,managers and whatnot at Tom Davies Square.If City Council wants us to tighten our belts and bite the bullet with these increases they had better start doing it themselves.

  • person_1 12/4/2009 5:46:45 PM - Report Abuse

    #11. Where does the money from Hockey Games, Concerts, Events etc that happens at the City Arena go?
    #12. What happened to the money that both federal and provincial governments give us for medical things like: hospitals, emergency clinics, etc?
    #13. Junction Creek Stewardship Committee, aren't they supported by private donators?
    #14. What about the money made from rents being paid for the use of buildings like the Data Centre? Ever notice that the parking lot for the Data is always plowed and sanded?
    #15. Why not cut back on things like xmas decorating, flower planting, setting up lights at Science North, lunches paid to city employees (such as the mayor and such)? I am sure there are alot of things that could be cut back.

  • person_1 12/4/2009 5:36:30 PM - Report Abuse

    Oh yeah:
    #7. How much city-taxpaying money does Science North get?
    #8. How much money is spent on schmoozing?
    #9. Where does the money made from Northern Lights Festival and other Bell Park attractions go?
    #9. As for city employees using tax-paid vehicles, why don't they car-pool? Why do they leave their vehicles running while waiting for coffee or chit-chatting with friends at the local coffee shop?
    #10. Why does the city plow and salt when there is no snow or ice, yet, they are no-where to be found during storms?

  • person_1 12/4/2009 5:26:57 PM - Report Abuse

    Okay! Enough is Enough!!! I want answers and I am tired of the run around from city reps! So, please feel free to educate me ANYONE!!!
    #1. Where is the money from the Casino going. (The city does get commisions from it.)
    #2. Where did the provincial and federal money go?
    #3. Isn't the Nurse Practioner Clinic supported by the provincial government?
    #4. Didn't Vale, Xstrata, and many other large corporations donate money to the city over the past year for various reasons?
    #5. Where is the money from Tourism going? (I would like to know how that is divided.)
    #6. How is the taxpayers' money really divided? What department gets what? Who gets paid what?
    Of all the items the mayor has listed, alot of these items were to be covered by the money given from the federal government. Correct me if I am wrong.

  • woriedfather 12/4/2009 3:33:26 PM - Report Abuse

    •$260,000 in one-time funding for physician recruitment
    •$360,000 in one-time funding for emergency shelter services
    •$25,000 for four years for the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee
    •$75,000 in one-time funding for the Sudbury & District Nurse Practioners Clinic in Lively.

    These are not enhancements, they are necesity's. enhancements are dumb things like putting flowers on the median on notre-dame, or puting up the same old lame xmas decorations every year. The city should stop wasting money on dumb and useless things and put more of it in the maintenance ( roads, and other things like that). Also the city should stop letting city employes use city vehicles for there personal use, i have met quite a few city workers use city trucks and cars and that the city is paying the gas mind you, for there own personal use.

  • familyguy 12/4/2009 3:19:18 PM - Report Abuse

    We won't be seeing anymore money from the provincial govenment who is already 24 billion dollars in debt. For Mayor Rodriguez to deny this live on CBC radio the other morning was ridiculous. Lets get a budget passed that won't break the backs of Greater Sudbury taxpayers.
    5.5 percent is not acceptable!!

  • South End 12/4/2009 10:43:21 AM - Report Abuse

    Nice to see there is one intelligent Council member (Thompson). But actions speak louder then words.

  • tapped out in the Nickel 12/3/2009 3:17:47 PM - Report Abuse

    Did Russ Thompson really say that or is it a typo?Maybe the rest of this crew better take notes and listen to what he said.
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