Debt utilization is projected to jump to 21.2 per cent. Pictured: Members of Niagara-on-the-Lake Council. Photo Credit: Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Budget 2025 negotiations are continuing across Niagara municipalities. In Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Town council has approved, in principle, a $7 million increase to the capital budget for the coming year. The capital budget deals with items such as infrastructure and assets. It is estimated that it will represent a total of $17.2 million in spending in 2025.
Councillor Sandra O’Connor has been a vocal critic of the increase, and has been attempting to find ways to lower expenses. So far, her proposals have not received the widespread support of other councillors.
O’Connor introduced motions to ensure that the recreation budget would not exceed $606,200, and that the fire and emergency services budget would be capped at $395,000. The councillor shared her strong opposition to raising the fire department’s budget to $1.9 million from $395,000, which would represent a 385.5 per cent increase. Her sentiments were similar with respect to the parks and recreation budget, which she said she would not support being raised from $606,200 to $1.4 million, a 130 per cent increase.
In order to avoid these enlargements, it would be necessary to delay a community centre roof repair project, which would cost $479,000, as well as a new fire truck purchase, priced at $1.5 million.
O’Connor also tried to defer to next year resurfacing Queens Parade Road from John Street to near Wellington Street, which would cost $350,000, as well as the resurfacing of Elden Street from Penner Street to the dead end, which would cost $100,000. She argued it would be better to avoid having both ends of Niagara-on-the-Lake under construction next year, with Mississauga Street is already being resurfaced in a $3 million project.
O’Connor would also like to see the $10,000 provision of cameras for bylaw enforcement officers put on hold until there is a comprehensive policy to address personal privacy concerns.
Numerous town councillors, including Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa, were generally unsupportive of O’Connor’s proposals. Zalepa expressed concerns about the fire department, which is essential to the Town’s health and safety, not being adequately funded. Fire Chief and Director of Municipal Enforcement Jay Plato echoed these arguments and confirmed that there are long-standing protective equipment shortages for staff which need to be addressed.
Zalepa also brought up the infrastructure funding gap for the next decade, which he said could worsen if projects are delayed rather than completed on schedule. Zalepa said that he favours increasing debt to fund infrastructure projects, rather than making use of reserves.
The debt utilization is measured at 17.4 per cent. Now that the capital budget has been approved, and includes numerous projects which will be funded through debt, the utilization is projected to jump to 21.2 per cent. This number represents approximately 2.2 per cent on the 2025 tax increase.
One of the projects which will be funded through debt is a $1.4 million fire pumper truck. They will also include a $1.3 million project to replace two culverts on McNabb Road and Line 2 Road, as well as the $3 million Mississauga Street resurfacing work.
O’Connor shared that she felt her colleagues had ignored her views and that her voice was “silenced.” She also indicated hope for a more rigorous debate in the future with all councillors, including Councillors Wendy Cheropita and Gary Burroughs, who did not attend the most recent capital budget meeting.
While time may be in short supply, O’Connor believes that there is still a chance for the capital budget to be reduced when town councillors vote on the whole 2025 budget.
Nick Redekop completed his Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Labour Studies at Brock University. He has previously served in municipal and federal politics. In his free time, Nick enjoys following sports, taking part in outdoor activities, and reading biographies. Nick resides in Niagara Falls
