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Adoption of the 2020 Budget – A city that adapts and keeps moving forward
Gatineau, December 10, 2019. – Gatineau is a city that keeps moving forward and that invests heavily in its infrastructures. Today, it is tabling a responsible budget that is well in line with the Council's program and the recommendations made by the Comité d'analyse approfondie du budget.
Quick facts
| ● | The Municipal Council is adopting a $651.8 M balanced budget. |
| ● | Spending is projected to increase by $28.5 M, a 4.6% increase over 2019. |
| ● | Taxes are up 2.1% for 2020, which is the equivalent of $60 for a $238,200 median residence. |
| ● | The tax increase falls under two categories:
- 1.6% to maintain service levels for residents; and
- 0.5% dedicated to infrastructure catch-up.
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| ● | Gatineau is adapting to climate change. Last winter was a difficult one, and the region was hard hit by flooding. Gatineau is increasing its snow clearing budget by 35% since 2013, and investing an additional $10 M to adapt to heavy rains. |
| ● | The annual investment in infrastructures has increased by close to 60% since 2013. Spending on paving is up 25% since 2017, and 72% since 2013. |
Revenue diversification | ● | In 2018, duties were raised on transfers of immovables for transactions in excess of $1 M, generating revenues estimated at $2 M annually. |
| ● | In 2019, the tax rate on serviced vacant lands was adjusted to 200% of the residential tax, generating $3.5 M in revenues. |
| ● | In 2020, sharing the growth in TVQ under the 2020-2024 partnership between the Province of Quebec and its municipalities will bring in $2.35 M. There will be a further approximately $400,000 annually under the Fonds de développement des territoires. By the end of the current five-year fiscal pact, Gatineau is slated to receive an additional approximately $27 M. |
The tax dedicated to infrastructure catch-up | ● | This tax, created in 2012, is used for infrastructure investments. In 2020, the increase will be kept at 0.5%. |
| ● | So far, the dedicated tax has enabled Gatineau to invest close to $149 M in infrastructures, with another $41 M to be added in 2020. |
| ● | Debt servicing accounts for 9.9% of Gatineau's budget. It was 23% at the time of the 2002 merger. |
| ● | Debt servicing accounts for 9.9% of Gatineau's budget. It was 23% at the time of the 2002 merger. |
| ● | Cash payments cover 69% of spending on infrastructures in 2020. They were 25% in 2010. |
| ● | Gatineau is applying for every subsidy program that could help with the catch-up. |
| ● | In 2010, Gatineau set up a reserve for new infrastructures to help it budget for their future maintenance. The 2020 budget allocates $5.5 M to that reserve. |
Service enhancements | ● | In order to meet the community's needs, Gatineau is investing:
- $530,000 for the first eight months of operations of the Donalda-Charron library, currently being built in the Plateau neighbourhood;
- $253,000 to increase the spring sweeping budget in order to enhance service levels and complete operations within six weeks instead of eight;
- $28,160 for a bike path grooming pilot project for the winter cycling network in 2019-2020;
- $63,840 for the urban outdoors action plan; and
- $125,000 to set up the Office de consultation publique de Gatineau. |
Significant investments from 2020 to 2022 | ● | Over the next three years, a total of $465.9 M in investments, including $197.8 M in 2020:
- Ruisseau Wabassee $56.3 M
- Water supply and sewer systems $49.6 M
- Roads $27.4 M
- Water treatment and wastewater treatment plants $14.8 M
- Buildings $12.9 M
- Social housing and residential renovation $5.5 M
- Development of parks and urban outdoors $3.5 M
- Other $27.8 M |
| ● | Since 2006, a significant amount of work has been done under the auspices of the Programme de la taxe sur l'essence et de la contribution du Québec (TECQ). An additional approximately $16 M under TECQ 2019-2023 will lead to additional investments of up to $4.2 M in 2020. |
Citation
“The budget that we are adopting today is rigorous and daring. It enables us to pursue the vision developed by the Municipal Council early in its mandate, while at the same time adapting our actions to the challenges facing us. This year, we will be investing strategically in an ambitious urban outdoors development plan and in the first few months' operations of the new Donalda-Charron library in the Plateau. Adapting to climate change, while at the same time fighting it, is also a big part of our actions. For years, Gatineau has been working on diversifying revenues in order to ease the pressure on property taxes. This year, municipalities achieved a historic win. The Government of Quebec agreed to share the revenues associated with one TVQ point. This excellent news will bring in around $8 M annually within five years. Let's keep building the Gatineau of our dreams, a city that is ready to face the challenges of its day, and that can live up to its residents' expectations,” indicated Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin.
Images
Associated link
Webpage - 2020 Budget
Associated documents
Budget 2020 document (in French only) Mayor's speech – Budget 2020 Brochure explaining your tax account – Budget 2020
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