City council approved the 2023 budget Monday, with a 1.12% increase, while making investments
If you live in St. Catharines, your property taxes are about to go up, by 1.12%.
City council passed the 2023 budget Monday night, calling it a 'resiliency' budget, worth $128.2-million. The tax increase means $18.85 more for the average household.
Mayor Mat Siscoe points out the low increase is due to transferring the cost of transit to the region, and this will also enable council to replenish reserves used during the COVID pandemic.
The city will also hire an additional 24 staff members.
On that note, council is banking on The Peoples' Strategy, a plan worth over $1.9-million, to attract qualified people for important city positions.
During the meeting, city staffer Jeanette Pillitteri pointed out global trends are enabling employees to be picky where they work, to the point local services are being impacted. "The lack of investment in these areas will put the city at a considerable disadvantage in the competition for talent, and compromise the organization's ability to deliver services that council and the community expect."
She adds there is currently a shortage of qualified city workers.
"At present, the city's compensation for some positions is behind the mid-point of both competitor, and comparative municipalities. This means we are not well positioned to attract and retain staff."
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