Finance and Economic Development Committee

WHEREAS the City of Ottawa is about to start the 2014 budget process with the receipt of the Budget Process and Timetable report at the June meeting of the Finance and Economic Development Committee; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Finance and Economic Development Committee approve the addition of this item for consideration by the Committee at today’s meeting, pursuant to section 84(3) of the procedure by-law.

WHEREAS this term of Council has promoted a culture of fiscal responsibility at City Hall by establishing budget envelopes as part of the Budget Process and Timetable report; and WHEREAS Council established a term of Council budget guideline in 2010 that limited any tax increase to no more than 2.5%; and WHEREAS the City adopted budgets from 2011 to 2013 that resulted in tax increases of 2.45%, 2.39% and 2.09% respectively; and WHEREAS the increase in the consumer price index has been running at below 2%; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Finance and Economic Development Committee recommend that Council approve that the 2014 budget guideline be amended so that the 2014 Draft Operating and Capital Budgets be developed to result in a recommended tax increase of less than 2%; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Council communicate this direction to the Boards of Police Services, Library and Health for their information and consideration; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this be considered at the May 8, 2013 City Council meeting.