CUPE Local 500 > News/Media > News Archive > City Council approves 2013 Operating and Capital Budgets

City Council approves 2013 Operating and Capital Budgets

January 30, 2013 at 1:17 PM

At a special meeting held on January 29, City Council voted 11-5 to approve its operating budget and 14-2 in favour of its capital budget. 

Highlights of the budget include:

  • Property-tax hike: 3.87 per cent over 2012. One per cent or $4.5 million will be dedicated to road renewals.
  • $579,136 will be spent on a new Policy advisor and Communications office. 
  • Increase to councillors' ward allowance: $600,000 or $40,000 per ward.
  • $13 million in vacancy management
  • Increase in the rental fee for athletic fields from $34 to $70.
  • 5% cuts to Museum Grants
  • $300,000 earmarked for accelerated Alternate Service Delivery (ASD) Process that would result in $2 million in savings.

The Local made presentations in opposition to the budget at a number of standing committees and at City Council.   

In his presentation to City Council, CUPE Local 500 President Mike Davidson opposed the spending of over half a million on a new policy advisor office and questioned the $300,000 to “accelerate” the Alternate Service Delivery process. 

“As we’ve mentioned time and time again, the ASD process is flawed and history has shown it doesn’t work,” said Davidson.  “We think it’s time for the City to reverse the thinking that the private sector is better able to provide quality public services than the public sector.  The experience all across Canada is that private delivery of public services or privatization of public infrastructure is not working and ends up costing more.”

Davidson also pointed out that vacancy management is nothing more than a non-transparent erosion of the City’s frontline services. 

“This continuing practice of not filling vacant positions has taken its toll on almost every single department within the City of Winnipeg, he said.  “It is inconceivable to think that the workforce can continue to absorb these levels of cutbacks, while still maintaining service levels to the public.“

You can click here to read a copy of the Local’s presentation to City Council.