SUDBURY -- City council in Sudbury has approved the budget for 2020.

It will mean a 4.8 per cent tax increase, with 3.3 per cent going towards operational needs and 1.5 per cent for capital levy.

The 2020 plan includes increased investments in roads and equipment, water and wastewater infrastructure, recreation facility improvements, landfill and diversion sites, and more.

City officials say that residents with a home assessed at $230,000 will pay about $12 more per month compared to this year.

"This budget reflects a significant investment into the future of our city. Your city council has approved a plan that is focused on making important investments in health and safety, the downtown, community building, tourism and economic development, and the environment," said Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger.

The 2020 operating budget of $619.5 million, 47 per cent of which is funded by property taxes includes:

  • $1.7 million increase in winter control, including the replacement and maintenance of snow plow equipment
  • $900,000 increase for summer roads maintenance, which includes asphalt repair and stormwater management

The 2020 capital budget is $172 million. About 25 per cent is funded by property taxes; about 19 per cent is funded by water and wasterwater user fees, while the majority comes from other levels of government, reserve funds, third party recoveries, and debt financing.

A report by the city's finance and administration committee will outline capital projects recommendations that will be funded by the new 1.5 per cent levy, with a focus on infrastructure and asset renewal.

Some of the significant capital investments include:

  • $86 million invested in roads and drains, including $811,000 toward the Hot In-Place Asphalt Recycling pilot project, and $39 million in water and wastewater infrastructure
  • $7.8 million to maintain and further improve GOVA services by accelerating the replacement of transit buses
  • $3.2 million investment in information technology projects and solutions to modernize customer transaction processes and improve customer service
  • $3.4 million investment in the replacement of Fire and Paramedic vehicles
  • $2.3 million in maintenance and improvements to leisure facilities including the Howard Armstrong Recreation Centre and Dowling Leisure Centre
  • $1.4 million in landfill and waste diversion sites in Sudbury and Hanmer