Category Archives: Finance and budget

Guelph, Ont., August 15, 2018 – The City of Guelph’s credit rating remains strong at AA+ as announced today by S&P Global Ratings (S&P). “This is great news for ensuring the long-term prosperity of Guelph,” said Mayor Cam Guthrie. “This rating not only reflects the City of Guelph’s solid financial position and practices, it also speaks to our vibrant economy, ability to attract new residents, employers, and investment opportunities.” S&P is an independent company that looks at corporations around the world and analyses their capacity to meet financial obligations. The City of Guelph’s AA+ rating signifies its ability to meet its financial commitments is between very strong and extremely strong. Council and City administration’s management of its finances is a big part of why the… Continue reading AA+ credit rating reaffirms Guelph’s solid financial foundation

This isn’t a typical financial or performance report because it’s not just about us. It’s about residents, business, community groups, visitors, volunteers, and our own employees. It’s about people working together to make Guelph a great city, Continue reading City of Guelph releases 2017 Report to the Community

Guelph’s proposed Development Charges were presented to City Council and are scheduled to take effect March 2, 2019
Continue reading Proposed Development Charges presented to Guelph City Council

Our employees work hard and are committed to serving the citizens of Guelph. However, like any large employer, we sometimes find ourselves having to dismiss an employee from service. Continue reading City of Guelph severance payments

As part of the 2018 budget, City Council approved a series of rate and fee increases to ensure that the City is able to continue delivering programs and services that meet the community’s expectations. Continue reading City’s 2018 rates and fees released

Council approved a $­232,965,140 tax-supported operating budget representing a 2.45 per cent increase over last year’s budget, and a one per cent infrastructure levy to be funded half through a tax levy and half through a transfer from reserves. Continue reading City Council approves tax-supported operating budget and infrastructure levy

Guelph City Council approved the 2018 non-tax supported operating budget and the 2018 capital budget. Continue reading Council approves 2018 non-tax supported operating budget and 2018 capital budget

2018 proposed tax-supported operating budget now available at guelph.ca Guelph, Ont., October 26, 2017 — The City has released the recommended 2018 tax-supported operating budget to Council and the community. The recommended budget will be presented to Council on November 8 at 2 p.m. in Council Chambers. Delegations for this budget will be heard on November 22. The City’s 2018 recommended base budget of $232,907,226 represents a 2.19 per cent increase over 2017. The tax-supported operating budget includes funds needed to address legislative requirements and other pressures from other levels of government, while addressing Council direction and continuing to support current levels of service and affordability. “This budget represents an earnest effort on the part of City staff to bring the base budget in as… Continue reading City presents operating budget to Council

2018 proposed non-tax-supported operating budget and capital budget now open for public comment Guelph, Ont., October 12, 2017 – The City has released the 2018 recommended operating (non-tax- supported) and the capital (non-tax and tax-supported) budgets to City Council and the community. The non-tax-supported operating budget focuses on the services residents pay for through rates, fees and charges such as stormwater management, water and wastewater. The capital budget and forecast outlines the budget required to sustain our current infrastructure and build for the future. New this year, the non-tax and tax-supported capital budget will be presented together. “The need is real when it comes to sustaining our critical infrastructure,” said Trevor Lee, deputy chief administrative officer, Corporate Services. “By presenting the non-tax-supported operating and the… Continue reading 2018 budget discussions start now

Have your say! Guelph, Ont., September 18, 2017 – Guelph taxpayers, including commercial and industrial property owners, are asked to weigh-in on the City of Guelph’s Vacant Unit Rebate program. The Vacant Unit Rebate program provides a tax rebate to commercial or industrial property owners who have vacancies within their building(s). Owners must apply and meet eligibility criteria before being awarded a rebate of 30 per cent (vacant commercial space) or 35 per cent (vacant industrial space). In 2016, a total of $807,000 in rebates was provide to 133 commercial or industrial properties in Guelph. Of that, $472,000 was the City’s portion. Provincial changes related to the administration of vacancy rebates allows the City to review its program and consider alternative options. “The goal is… Continue reading City considering changes to vacant unit tax rebate program

Guelph, Ont., August 25, 2017 – Yesterday, S&P Global Ratings (S&P) announced the City of Guelph’s credit rating is strong and remains at AA+ with stable outlook. “This is an independent, third-party confirmation of the City’s solid financial position and practices. It sends a strong signal that our municipal finances are in excellent shape,” said Mayor Cam Guthrie. “For five years, the City has maintained the AA+ rating which reflects our strong financial position and staff and Council’s commitment to making strategic financial decisions,” says Derrick Thomson, chief administrative officer. According to S&P, the rating (AA+) reflects Guelph’s “healthy liquidity, robust budgetary performance, and very low debt burden.” The stable outlook reflects the expectation that the City will maintain its   liquidity position, the tax-supported debt… Continue reading City maintains AA+ credit rating for a fifth year

Guelph City Council voted to continue researching possible mergers between Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc. and other publicly-owned electricity utility companies. Continue reading Guelph continues exploring possible hydro mergers

MP Lloyd Longfield, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, announced today that the City of Guelph’s new public transit project has been approved. Continue reading $19.4 million to be invested in Guelph Transit infrastructure

Given that Guelph’s assessment growth has increased to $3.7 million, the City is recommending that Council approve a 2017 operating budget of $221,944,377 Continue reading Revised recommended budget reflects increased assessment growth

Immediate action taken to reverse losses and ensure unit delivers value for Guelph Guelph, Ont., November 4, 2016 – Operating losses in the most recent budget year have led senior City officials to direct that Solid Waste Services will undergo a full service and business review. In addition, division management has already started work to bring a projected $3 million negative year-end variance closer to zero, including launching an independent, external financial audit. A staff report, to be presented to Council as Committee of the Whole November 7, outlines specific work underway to correct the existing divisional budget, build an accurate budget for 2017, and mitigate the current year’s variance. “We’re taking decisive action to turn the corner on the performance of this business operation,”… Continue reading Senior City administrators put Solid Waste unit at top of list of service reviews

The recommended budget will be presented by City administration on November 9. Continue reading City presents operating budget for Council, community discussion

2017 Non-tax-supported budget receives Council approval Guelph, Ont., November 3, 2016—Earlier this evening, Council approved the City’s Water, Wastewater Services and Stormwater Services, Ontario Building Code Administration and Court Services budgets for 2017. This is the first year that Stormwater Services is included in the non-tax-supported budget. “We have seen what the strong financial policies of Water and Wastewater Services can do to close the infrastructure gap and ensure healthy reserves,” says James Krauter, acting city treasurer. “The approval of the stormwater service fee will provide stable and dedicated funding for this critical service much like we have for water and wastewater.” Approved 2017 water and wastewater rates, effective January 1, 2017 Recommended rates and fees 2016 2017 change Water volume – $/cubic metre (m3)… Continue reading Council approves four dollar monthly residential stormwater service fee

Ward 6 Councillors are hosting a town hall meeting to talk about the City’s 2017 Budget. Learn about the City’s proposed 2017 Budget Share your thoughts Open question and answer session Thursday, November 17, 2016 7-9 p.m. Clair Road Emergency Services Centre, 160 Clair Rd West Hosted by: Councillor Mark MacKinnon Mobile: 519-829-5137 mark.mackinnon@guelph.ca Councillor Karl Wettstein 519-822-1260 x 2297 Mobile: 519-763-5105 karl.wettstein@guelph.ca  

Mayor Cam Guthrie will host three public Town Halls where residents can learn about the City’s proposed 2017 Budget; ask questions; and have an open conversation about budget priorities and tax levels. Two of the Town Halls will be public meetings, and one will be an online “Facebook Live” chat where Mayor Guthrie will be in attendance via a live a video feed, and participants can ask questions in real time through Facebook. All are welcome, and no registration or RSVP is required. Tuesday, November 15, 7 to 9 p.m. Guelph City Hall Tuesday, November 22, 7 p.m. Facebook Live town hall at facebook.com/mayorcamguthrie Tuesday, November 29, 7 to 9 p.m. West End Community Centre, community room For more information about the City of Guelph’s proposed 2017… Continue reading Join Mayor Cam Guthrie for a Budget Town Hall

October 25, 2016 – Today, the City released the 2017-2026 recommended Tax-supported capital budget and forecast to City Council and the community. Continue reading Council and community to discuss 2017 investment in City assets

2017 non-tax-supported budget now open for public comment Guelph, Ont., October 14, 2016 – Today, the City released the 2017 recommended non-tax-supported operating and capital budget to City Council and the community. This budget focuses on the services which residents pay for through rates, fees and charges. Community members have an opportunity to address Council about the budget and proposed rate changes through a written submission or during the October 26 meeting in Council Chambers at City Hall. Today’s release is the first of four budget documents to be considered by Council. Over the coming weeks, the proposed tax-supported budgets (operating, capital, and local boards and shared services) will be released for Council consideration. New in the 2017 budget In the 2017 recommended non-tax supported… Continue reading Budget discussions start with water, wastewater rate changes and new stormwater service fee

Guelph, Ont., August 18, 2016 – Today, S&P Global Ratings (S&P) announced that the City of Guelph’s credit rating is strong and remains at AA+ with stable outlook. “This is the fourth year that Guelph’s credit rating has been issued at this level,” said Mark Amorosi, Deputy CAO, Corporate Services. “The reaffirmed AA+ rating not only reflects the City’s positive financial position but is a testament to staff and Council’s continued commitment to making strong financial decisions.” According to S&P, the rating (AA+) reflects Guelph’s “exceptional liquidity, very strong budgetary performance, and very low debt burden.” The stable outlook reflects the expectation that the City’s liquidity position will remain stable and that the tax-supported debt burden will remain manageable over the next two years. The… Continue reading City’s credit rating remains stable at AA+ for a fourth year

Guelph, Ont., July 21, 2016 – Work to develop the City’s 2017 budget is underway. From an internal kick-off to a capital budget information session, City staff and Council are working together to create a budget that provides a solid financial foundation for the delivery of outstanding services for the community. “Building a municipal budget is difficult. We need to balance the delivery of services the community needs with available resources,” says Guelph CAO Derrick Thomson. “This year we’ll present a budget that is a realistic financial plan. It will enable us to live within our means today—while taking care of what we own—and plan for the future.” At the July 13 capital budget information session, City staff explored the funding challenges Guelph and other… Continue reading 2017 budget process underway

Guelph City Council agreed to the list of projects recommended for federal infrastructure funding. Continue reading City prioritizes 12 projects for federal infrastructure funding

Liz Sandals, MPP for Guelph, announced the City of Guelph will receive $2.6 million dollars from the Province’s Connecting Links Program for construction on York Road. Continue reading City receives $2.6 million funding boost from province for York Road construction

Guelph, Ont., February 25, 2016 – The City of Guelph regrets to announce that Janice Sheehy, General Manager, Finance and City Treasurer, will leave the City next month to join the Region of Peel as its Commissioner of Human Services. “Janice informed me of her decision a few days ago,” says Guelph’s Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Corporate Services Mark Amorosi. “We’re extremely sorry to see her go, but understand her desire to pursue a rare opportunity and an expanded portfolio at the Region of Peel.” Janice joined the City of Guelph in March of 2015. She led the City through the development of the 2016 municipal budget and a Financial Condition Assessment Review. “My time at the City of Guelph has been both rewarding… Continue reading City’s treasurer accepts expanded role at Region of Peel

Guelph City Council and administration are working together to prepare for infrastructure funding opportunities expected to be announced by the federal government. Continue reading City of Guelph prepares for potential federal infrastructure funding

A look at some of the budget details On December 10, 2015, City Council approved a $216 million operating budget and a $61 million capital budget for 2016. This represents a 2.99 per cent tax increase over 2015. In approving the budget, Council approved $3.6 million in reductions to the base budget which included adjustments to purchased goods and services, revenue including a 15 per cent increase to vendor fees at the Guelph Farmers’ Market, and service level changes for Guelph Transit (described below). Within the capital budget, Council approved 124 projects including but not limited to Transit fare box replacement, vehicle and equipment lifecycle replacements, bridge replacements/upgrades (including Niska Bridge), South End Community Park continued implementation, and downtown parkade construction. The following identifies the… Continue reading 2016 budget highlights

City council approves 2.99 per cent tax increase over 2015 Guelph, ON, December 10, 2016 – This evening, Guelph City Council approved a $216 million operating budget and a $61 million capital budget for 2016. This represents a 2.99 per cent tax increase over 2015. Based on the average household assessment for 2015 and the City’s 2015 tax policy, this amounts to an increase of $96.19 per household based on a home valued at $301,770. When combined with changes to Guelph’s water and wastewater rates, the impact on an average household is roughly $127.19 in 2016. “The 2016 budget balances the diverse needs of our community,” says Janice Sheehy, general manager, finance and city treasurer. “Through community input, Council deliberation and employee support, Council has approved a budget that reinforces… Continue reading 2016 budget focuses on delivering public services better

1.58 per cent base budget increase recommended for 2016 Guelph, ON, November 4, 2015—Today the City has released the recommended 2016 Tax-supported Operating Budget and Forecast for Council and community to review. The recommended budget will be presented by administration on November 10, 18 and 19. Residents are encouraged to attend the presentations or watch online prior to delegating on November 30, 2015. “The 2016 budget challenged the City to find additional efficiencies in an already lean organization. By critically reviewing each line item, departments were able to reduce their individual asks to support the overall 1.58 per cent increase,” says Janice Sheehy, city treasurer. “The recommended budget meets the community’s and City’s needs for 2016 while remaining affordable; however, with such a low tax… Continue reading City to present affordable base budget for Council, community discussion

New public sector accounting standard prompts greater financial transparency Guelph, Ont., November 3, 2015 – The City is updating its accounting practices to reflect the financial liability associated with  its properties that may require remediation, to meet a new requirement of the Public Sector Accounting Standards (PSAS). “The new accounting standard ensures Guelph is identifying, assessing, and reporting on financial liabilities that exist when an area of land exceeds environmental quality standards and requires some degree of remediation,” said Janice Sheehy, the City’s general manager of finance. The cost to maintain, mitigate, or remediate City-owned contaminated sites that meet the criteria defined in the PSAS is estimated to be $30 million. “The extent of remediation needed is site-specific and this work is subject to the… Continue reading City to report financial liability for environmental remediation annually

Earlier this evening, Council approved the City’s Water and Wastewater Services, Building Code Administration and Court Services budgets for 2016. Continue reading Council approves four per cent water, wastewater rate increases

2016 capital budget open to public comment October 28 and November 30 Guelph, ON, October 23, 2015 – Today, the City released the recommended 2016-2025 Tax-supported Capital Budget and Forecast to City Council and the community. The recommended 2016 Capital Budget includes a tax supported operating contribution of 15 per cent of last year’s net tax levy (within the Council-approved guideline of 20 per cent) and five per cent from debt financing. This provides total tax supported capital funding at approximately 20 per cent of the prior year net tax levy. The funding breakdown of the total capital budget of $60.7 million includes the following revenue sources: grants (15%), development charges (28%), debt (17%) and an operating transfer to capital reserves (40%). City staff will… Continue reading Council and community to discuss 2016 investment in City assets 

2016 non-tax-supported budget open to public comment October 21. Continue reading Council to start budget discussions with water and waste water rate changes

BMA assessment of Guelph’s financial condition released Guelph, ON, September 25, 2015 – On Monday evening, City Council heard highlights from the 2014-15 Financial Condition Assessment report which evaluates the City’s financial health and identifies future challenges and opportunities. The assessment was conducted by BMA Management Consulting Inc. “By proactively seeking this assessment from BMA, City Council, administration and the community receive an objective third-party view of our current and future financial state. This is especially helpful as Council approaches the end of its first year in office, and considers the 2016 budget,” says Janice Sheehy, city treasurer. The BMA assessment concludes that the City’s overall financial condition is favourable and trending upward. However, like other municipalities, the City is facing a number of challenges that… Continue reading City in positive financial position

Guelph, ON, September 9, 2015– An independent financial review has confirmed the final cost of building Guelph’s new City Hall and provincial offences court, including legal costs and settlement fees, is $65,069,735. The findings confirm the values previously reported by the City. The report was presented this afternoon to the Corporate Services Committee. “The financial review, conducted by Deloitte LLP, verified the City of Guelph’s financial tracking of project costs and its record-keeping were sufficient to provide detailed, accurate costing information,” says Guelph’s chief administrative officer Ann Pappert. With the exception of legal and settlement fees, the Civic Administration Building and Provincial Offences Court was within one percent of budgeted construction costs. “This is the final of three deliverables we promised earlier this year,” says… Continue reading Financial review of City Hall, courthouse construction project complete

Project funding (City Hall and Provincial Offences)   Approved budget          $54,850,100 Plus: unbudgeted additional funding            $1,783,248 A. Total project funding          $56,633,348 Project expenses (City Hall and POA)   Project cost          $56,968,414 Settlement costs: Urbacon Limited            $6,635,000 HST                $495,450 Input Tax Credit              ($451,186) Aviva Insurance Company of Canada                $100,000 Moriyama & Teshima Architects              ($150,000) Money paid back from lien claims ($828,427) Total settlement costs            $5,800,837 Legal fees            $2,300,484 B. Total project cost          $65,069,735 Additional cost to the City (B – A)            $8,436,387 Funding the additional cost Settlement Legal/OMB Reserve            $1,693,100 Capital Tax Reserve            $1,500,000 Capital Asset Renewal Reserve            $5,243,287  Total $8,436,387 Resources View the staff report and final accounting of… Continue reading Guelph City Hall and courthouse financial overview

Guelph, ON, August 27, 2015 – On Tuesday, Standards & Poor’s Rating Services (Standards & Poor’s) announced that the City of Guelph’s credit rating continues to be strong and remains at AA+ with a stable outlook. “This is the third year that Guelph’s credit rating has been issued at this level,” said Janice Sheehy, general manager, finance and city treasurer. “The reaffirmed AA+ rating reflects the City’s positive financial position.” According to the Standard & Poor’s Ratings Direct Research Update the rating reflects Guelph’s “very strong economic fundamentals, exceptional liquidity position and low debt burden.” The credit rating highlights Standard & Poor’s view that Guelph has a very predictable and well-balanced financial framework which demonstrates the City’s strong financial management practices. Those practices include a… Continue reading City’s credit rating remains stable

To ensure Guelph’s updated DC rates reflect the population forecasted in Ontario’s Places to Grow Act—43,000 new residents and 32,000 new jobs by the year 2031—the City conducted a background study including a peer review by two individuals selected by the development community with expertise in growth and demographic forecasting, and engineering. Continue reading Development Charges Background Study