Ottawa city council has unanimously supported a surprise motion by Mayor Jim Watson to invest an unexpected $10-million surplus into infrastructure renewal.
Wednesday morning's council meeting to debate the 2018 budget started with treasurer Marian Simulik informing councillors that the city will end this year with the surplus instead of an expected $5-million deficit.
"This is a Christmas miracle to have this kind of revelation on the budget morning," quipped Coun. Rick Chiarelli.
The mayor's motion completely undermined the plan by eight councillors who said late last week they would support an additional .5 per cent tax increase to raise about $8 million for road, sidewalk and park repairs.
That more than one-third of councillors were willing to defy the mayor's election promise not to raise property taxes beyond 2 per cent represented an unprecedented level of opposition around the council table.
In the end however, those eight councillors supported the mayor's proposal, and Coun. Jeff Leiper withdrew his original motion for a tax increase.
Some councillors appeared upset that they were not told about the surplus before the meeting. The treasurer said she only found out about the multi-million-dollar windfall on Friday afternoon, and informed the city manager and mayor's offices then.
"I told councillors at the same time, at the beginning of this meeting," said Simulik. "If the mayor told people, that's on him."
Watson said he started telling some councillors about the surplus a couple of days ago in order to whip up support for his motion.
Council finds $100K for social agencies
After the community and protective services (CPS) committee heard last week from dozens of groups that don't receive city funding for the social services they provide — including one organization that told councillors four of the homeless teenagers under its watch died last year — Coun. Diane Deans proposed one-time funding worth $100,000.
Deans, who chairs the CPS committee, said she had asked for $500,000 to be included in the 2018 budget, but it didn't materialize.
Despite the fact that staff said the funds were available, and that staff has a list of appropriate groups eligible for the money, Coun. Allan Hubley said he couldn't vote for the motion because he worried the money amounted to a "secret fund."
Deans shot back that that Hubley had voted for the mayor's motion to spend $10 million on infrastructure without seeing a list of projects.
"On a $100,000, you gotta see that list?" she asked.
Hubley and Coun. Stephen Blais dissented on the motion.
The city plans to conduct a full review next year to determine which social agencies might need new funding.
Council also approved the installation of 10 portable toilets in public parks, within the parks and recreation department's existing budget. The toilets should cost about $600 each, according to the motion moved by Deans and Coun. Riley Brockington.
