City of North Bay budget passes with 4.27 per cent levy increase

North Bay City Council approved the City of North Bay's 2022 operating budget with an 8-3 vote in favour during Tuesday's regular meeting.

The 2022 budget includes gross operating expenses of approximately $146.4 million with an overall tax levy of approximately $101.1 million — a levy increase of $4.1 million or 4.27 per cent over 2021.

Looking back at this Council's term, in 2021, the budget included gross operating expenses of approximately $142 million with an overall tax levy of $96.9 million and the levy increased by 3.38 per cent.

The 2020 budget included gross operating expenses of approximately $137.3 million with an overall tax levy of 93.8 million, a levy increase of 5.02 per cent. 

In 2019, the first budget of Council's four-year term, gross operating expenses were $133.7 million, with an approved levy of $89.3 million, equating to a 5.86 per cent increase over 2018.

Councillors Mark King, George Maroosis and Scott Robertson voted against the operating portion of the 2022 budget. The $38-million capital and $14.3-million water/wastewater budgets passed unanimously.

The City uses growth-adjusted figures, so by factoring in real assessment growth of 0.28 per cent (approximately $268,000), the overall tax levy impact on existing property owners equates to 3.99 per cent. The annual tax bill for individual properties, however, is dependent on assessed value and the tax rate, which will be set by Council this spring.

For draft copies, reports, and documents pertaining to the combined 2022 operating and capital budget, click here. For more on the 2022 water and wastewater operating budget, click here.

BayToday will have additional coverage, including reaction from Council members on this year's budget process.