2023 BUDGET
OPERATING BUDGET
Land Acknowledgement The City of Owen Sound wishes to acknowledge the Territory of the Anishinabek Nation: The People of the Three Fires known as Ojibway, Odawa, and Pottawatomie Nations. And further gives thanks to the Chippewas of Saugeen, and the Chippewas of Nawash, now known as the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, as the traditional keepers of this land.
Table of Contents 04-05
06-07
08-09
11
About, Transparency & Accountability
Organizational Chart
Citizen Satisfaction Survey
By the Numbers
14-15
18-19
20-21
22-23, 25
Operating Grant Glossary
Funding Sources, Revenue Streams
Tax Dollar Breakdown
Strategic Priorities & Budget Impacts
Features Operational Highlights
Community Partners
See highlights of 2022 on pages 10, 12-13, 16-17, and 28-29.
See important partnerships on pages 24, and 26-27
Appendices 31 33
Appendix A: Segmented Budget Sheet Appendix B: Operating Budget and Variance Detail Sheets 3
About Owen Sound Protected by the Niagara Escarpment, Owen Sound is a beautiful, green city home to cultural riches. With a population of 22,000 residents, the City of Owen Sound continues to be the urban heart of Grey County and a welcoming community to raise a family, start a business, or just enjoy an unrivalled quality of life.
75%
of residents are satisfied with the services delivered by the City of Owen Sound. 2021 Citizen Satisfaction Survey 4
Transparency & Accountability Grant Glossary The purpose of this Budget Book is to help Council, citizens and other stakeholders understand the City’s Budget. The City’s revenues and other sources of funds are allocated to programs, services, infrastructure building and maintenance, and reserves that help ensure our longterm financial sustainability. The Operating Budget supports the Capital Budget and ensures the City’s core service provision and Grant Glossary customer service are of the highest priority and quality. To help maintain transparency and accountability in regard to the City of Owen Sound’s annual budget, detailed budget reports, financial statements, tax rates, financial information returns and more can be found on our website at:
OWENSOUND.CA/BUDGET or OWENSOUND.CA/TAX 5
City Organizational Chart
CITY COUNCIL CITY MANAGER
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND COMMUNICATIONS
TIM SIMMONDS
CORPORATE SERVICES
COMMUNITY SERVICES
DIRECTOR KATE ALLAN
DIRECTOR PAM COULTER
ACCOUNTING
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
BUILDING
ARENA OPERATIONS
REVENUE
CLERKS & BY-LAW
PARKS & OPEN SPACES
PLANNING & HERITAGE
PURCHASING, RISK & ASSET MANAGEMENT
HUMAN RESOURCES
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING
FACILITY SERVICES
6
73%
of residents who contacted the city were happy with the service they received from city staff. 2021 Citizen Satisfaction Survey
POLICE SERVICES
NORTH GREY UNION PUBLIC LIBRARY
CHIEF CRAIG AMBROSE
CEO & CHIEF LIBRARIAN TIM NICHOLLS HARRISON
PUBLIC WORKS & ENGINEERING
FIRE & EMERGENCY SERVICES
TOM THOMSON ART GALLERY
DIRECTOR LARA WIDDIFIELD
CHIEF PHIL EAGLESON
DIRECTOR & CHIEF CURATOR AIDAN WARE
ENGINEERING
ROADS & WINTER MAINTENANCE
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES/ TRANSIT
WATER DISTRIBUTION
WATER TREATMENT
WASTEWATER TREATMENT
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Citizen Satisfaction Survey In 2021 the City of Owen Sound conducted its first Citizen Satisfaction Survey. Public input is a key driver for decision-making, and informs policy decisions, budgetary spending, and continuous improvement. Public engagement through statistically significant surveys and other engagement tools offers an opportunity to hear from citizens about their topof-mind issues of importance and satisfaction with City services, and builds stronger relationships with the public. The next Citizen Satisfaction Survey in Owen Sound is planned to take place in 2024.
74%
of residents rate their quality of life as good or excellent. 2021 Citizen Satisfaction Survey
74%
of residents are satisfied with the services delivered by the City of Owen Sound. 2021 Citizen Satisfaction 8
Prioritizing Services for Review A gap analysis was conducted to identify the difference between the perceived importance of each service and level of satisfaction. Although individual satisfaction scores of services are important, it is through understanding the correlation between satisfaction and importance that identifies which services should be prioritized for improvement. The services which have relatively lower satisfaction scores, but are stronger drivers of satisfaction for the City’s overall level of service (aligned by Strategic Priority) are:
By-law Services
Garbage and Recycling Collection
Winter Maintenance - Sidewalks
Downtown Revitalization
Services such as fire and police services, as well as recreation facilities have higher individual satisfaction, but lower impact on overall satisfaction scores.
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Operational Highlights: Our City Owen Sound In June of 2022, the City launched Our City Owen Sound, a new online engagement platform. This Interactive space invites you to get involved with your community by sharing your feedback, ideas, and questions on City projects, initiatives, and services. www.ourcity.owensound.ca
One of Council’s Strategic Priorities is Collaborative City, with the objective of maintaining and improving relationships through engagement.
10
Our City Owen Sound is a method to more easily and accessibly gather public input and feedback on various projects.
Owen Sound By the Numbers Distributed
in Community Improvement Grants for facade and other improvements in the River District.
New Units Residential Total construction value of
$43,757,950
in 2022, up 19.5% over the past year.
Fire Safety inspections completed at hotels, motels, schools, daycares, churches, industrial and service providers.
1,086 Median number of daily pedestrians in the River District during the summer, making use of added attractions such as Music at the Market, movie nights and more.
Average weekly visitors to Harrison Park year-round to access playgrounds, trails, the pool, restaurant, and more.
Calls for service to the Owen Sound Police Services in 2022.
visitors to the Tom Thomson Art Gallery in 2022.
excluding external events and programs
ballots were cast in the 2022 Municipal Election, 81% of which were cast using the internet.
visitors passed through the Owen Sound Visitor Centre in the summer of 2022.
Estimated value of reserves at the end of 2022. 11
Operational Highlights: 100% Water Quality Rating “This perfect score is credited to the staff in our Water and Wastewater Divisions. These essential service providers worked hard throughout the pandemic, and have kept up the highest standards for safety and quality of the drinking water in our City.” – Mayor Ian Boddy The City of Owen Sound has received a perfect score for drinking water quality from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) for 2021.
158.6 KM The City of Owen Sound water system has approximately 158.6 kilometres of watermains and 7,200 connections. 12
The Operations Committee received the annual City of Owen Sound Water System report at their meeting on March 8, 2022, where staff announced that not only did the City pass inspection from the MECP, but achieved a 100% score. The annual provincial inspection is a legislative requirement of all municipal drinking water systems under the Safe Drinking Water Act. It ensures the City is meeting MECP legislation, policies and guidelines.
Operational Highlights: Two Economic Development Awards The City of Owen Sound was awarded two top prizes at the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) Awards of Excellence in April, winning both the Planning & Strategic Development Award and Workforce Development and Resident Attraction Award. The River District Action Plan, a collaborative marketing, branding, and action strategy between the City of Owen Sound and the River District Board of Management, took home the EDCO Award in the Planning & Strategic Development (Rural) category. The City’s Work from Home Capital of Canada© initiative won the award in the Workforce Development and Resident Attraction (Rural) category. The initiative was created to capitalize on the desire and ability of people to work from home on a more permanent basis during the global pandemic. The River District Action Plan and the Work from Home Capital of Canada© initiatives each played a vital role to support existing businesses, new business start-ups, and worked to engage young people, entrepreneurs, innovators, and creative citizens in facilitating economic growth throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
14,133
Work From Home Capital of Canada website visits during the six week campaign; 53% of website visitors were from Toronto and the GTA 13
Operating Grant Glossary Grants are sums of money given by a government or other organization for a particular use. The City receives multiple grants each year that support our operations. Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) Province of Ontario
The OMPF is the Province’s main general assistance grant to municipalities. 2023 Funding: $1,961,600 Use: 100% of the OMPF grant is applied against the City’s operating budget.
Transit Grants COVID Safe Restart Fund
This grant covers transit costs associated with COVID and lost revenues.
Community Safety Court Security Province of Ontario This fund offsets municipal costs associated with providing security to provincial courthouses. 2022 Funding: $375,000
Community Safety & Policing Local Priorities
Phase 1: $172,229
This is allocated against part-time officers and mobile mental health and addictions response team costs under Police Services
Phase 2: $82,928
2023 Funding: $183,750
Phase 3: $155,449 Phase 4: $103,258
Gas Tax (Provincial)
This Grant is dedicated for expansion and operations of public transit systems. 2022 Funding: $251,000 14
Community Safety & Policing Provincial Priorities This is allocated against downtown core uniformed officers and analysts costs under Police Services 2023 Funding: $400,000
Operating Grant Glossary Tom Thomson Art Gallery
Community Events
Artistic Catalyst: Engage & Sustain Canada Council for the Arts
Reconnect Festival and Event Program Province of Ontario
This operational funding is for organizations that facilitate connections between artists and the public.
This program funds experiences that encourage people to rediscover our communities safely.
2023 Funding: $70,000 ($280,000 over 4 years, 2020-2023)
2022 Funding: $29,000 Use: Music at the Market and Harbour Nights Concert Series
Public Art Galleries: Operating Ontario Arts Council This program supports the ongoing operations of not-for-profit, professional public art galleries in Ontario. 2023 Funding: $50,000 requested
Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Province of Ontario This program funds experiences that increase cultural tourism and foster economic growth. 2022 Funding: $25,000 Use: The Sound Waterfront Festival
The 2023 Operating Budget includes more than
$2,500,000 in anticipated grant and municipal funding.
Celebrate Ontario Province of Ontario Celebrate Canada provides funding for activities organized on National Indigenous Peoples Day, Saint-JeanBaptiste Day, Canadian Multiculturalism Day and Canada Day. 2022 Funding: $12,000 Use: Canada Day
15
Operational Highlights: Launch of the OPEN Card In 2022, the Tom Thomson Art Gallery, Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library, Billy Bishop Museum, and Marine and Rail Waterfront Museum, launched the OPEN Card; a highly innovative, free membership program that links all four institutions. The OPEN Card is available to anyone eligible for a Library Card and provides the holder access to all of the resources of the Library, as well as free membership to the Tom Thomson Art Gallery, Billy Bishop Museum, and the Marine and Rail Waterfront Museum. As an additional benefit, through the TOM’s affiliation with the Ontario Association of Art Galleries, the cardholder also has free admission to over 100 Ontario art galleries. This partnership initiative has resulted in some incredible new collaborative projects that will see actualization in 2023.
3,000%
increase in Art Gallery membership since the adoption of the OPEN Card. 16
2022 membership totals 8,830.
Where to use your OPEN Card Tom Thomson Art Gallery The TOM was established in commemoration of iconic Canadian landscape artist Tom Thomson who grew up on the shores of Georgian Bay, in Leith, Ontario, just north of Owen Sound.
Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library Inside a renovated 1914 Carnegie building, the library houses thousands of helpful resources. Visitors can also use WiFi, computers, mobile apps, request materials, and rent rooms for outside functions.
Billy Bishop Museum
Marine & Rail Museum
The Billy Bishop Home & Museum is a National Historic Site of Canada that commemorates the life and achievements of World War I flying ace and Victoria Cross winner Air Marshall William Avery “Billy” Bishop, and Canada’s aviation history.
Housed in a former Canadian National Railway Station on the waterfront, the Museum’s artifacts, scale models, archival photos, and interactive stations bring to life the days of sail and steam. Discover the history and heritage of an era when Owen Sound was called “the Chicago of the North.”
17 17
Operating Budget Funding Sources
62% Property Taxes Property tax bills are divided between the City of Owen Sound, the County of Grey and the local school boards. Owen Sound uses its portion to pay for City programs and services. including fire and emergency services, parks and trails, recycle collection, snow removal, and capital repairs and investments to roads and facilities.
Grants
Total Proposed 2023 Tax Levy:
8%
The City of Owen Sound benefits from almost $3 million in grant funding for the 2023 Operating Budget. City Staff work hard to use grants from the government and other organizations to extend the investment of each tax payer’s dollar in City services.
$33,135,964 24% User Fees & Other Revenue
User fees and other revenue contribute to the operating budget to help maintain the services provided by the City that are only used by a portion of residents, visitors and developers.
18
OMPF Funding
6%
Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) is the Province’s main general assistance grant to municipalities. The program primarily supports northern and rural municipalities across the province with limited property assessment.
Non-tax Revenue Streams The City of Owen Sound implements user fees and service charges to help offset the required tax levy for core services provided. These other sources of revenue contribute to the Operating Budget and help enhance the quality of services offered. Examples of fees and charges and the revenue they earned in 2022 include:
Garbage Bag Tags: $490,000 Marriage & Other Licences: $115,000 Parking Revenue (passes & tickets): $130,000 Campground Rentals: $370,000 Bus Tickets & Passes: $250,000 Facility Bookings: $950,000 19
Tax Breakdown $255 Clear Direction & Service Excellence
$814 County
$64 Collaborative City
$355 Education
$35 Properous City
$42 A City That Grows $123 Green City
$385 City Building
Services for your taxes based on the average home: $691 Capital & Debt
Total tax bill: $4,246
$420 A City That Moves
$1,062 Safe City 20
Council Strategic Priorities: Percentage of Tax Bill*
25%
10%
$14,229,309 Supporting inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility in our community and recognizing the importance of a safe and secure community.
$5,155,150
Facilitating sustainable transportation options and create community connectivity.
1%
2%
Achieving the population target for Owen Sound as set out in the Grey County Growth Management Plan.
Maintaining and improving relationships through engagement.
$789,452
$674,161
9%
$4,830,181 Planning community amenities that create great places and spaces for community living. Cultivating a vibrant and diverse arts, culture, and heritage environment throughout the city.
<1%
19%
Education:
8%
Capital & Debt:
16%
$1,234,063 Enhancing the City’s resiliency and capacity for mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change. Supporting and promoting healthy lifestyles.
CORPORATE PRIORITIES CLEAR DIRECTION
Working toward a positive business environment and support initiatives that increase our competitive economic advantages.
City Operations:
57%
SERVICE EXCELLENCE
6%
$467,920
Total Tax Bill Distribution County:
3%
$3,566,566 Cultivating an environment to support a common understanding of where the organization is going in the future and ensuring a solid financial foundation and capacity for delivery. Being a modern and efficient municipal government that makes citizens’ lives better every day. *
21 percentages are for illustrative purposes; for full budget details, see Appendix B
Council Strategic Priorities
Police, fire, by-law, animal control
Transit, winter maintenance, traffic and street lights
Geographic Information System, Engineering, Planning, Building inspections, Community Development
Parks and open spaces, cemetery, arenas, library, art gallery and facility rentals (revenue)
Grants, City Clerks department
Waste management, storm and drainage, water source protection, and solar revenue
River District Board of Management, Tourism, Special Events
CORPORATE PRIORITIES CLEAR DIRECTION
SERVICE EXCELLENCE
Governance and program support
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22
Public Input Participation Public input and feedback plays an important role in guiding City services and, in turn, the operating budget. Public feedback is incorporated through: + Municipal Election + Surveys + Public Meetings + Corporate Website + Our City Owen Sound + Master Plans Development + Citizen Satisfaction Survey
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Building Partnerships: Truth and Reconciliation In January of 2022, the Tom Thomson Art Gallery presented Zoongide’ewin | Strong Heart by local emerging indigenous artist Brent Henry. The exhibition investigated the dark legacy of Canada’s Residential School system and the persistence of intergenerational trauma which resulted from this and other acts of colonial racism.
70%
of residents are satisfied with the services of the Tom Thomson Art Gallery. 2021 Citizen Satisfaction Survey
Indigenous Resource and Sharing Space at the TOM 24
Operating Budget Impacts Budget Category
Total Budget ($)
2022 Tax Levy
Tax Levy Variance
Budgetary Variance (%)
$32,598,965
Base Budget Commitments
$624,220
1.92%
Service Level Changes (Current Year)
($400,000)
-1.23%
Prior Year Decisions
($247,300)
-0.76%
-
-
Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund
($50,000)
-0.15%
Corrections
($92,001)
-0.28%
Growth Impact
Operating Increase
$71,386
Waste Management
$240,885 Write SubTitle Here
(165,081)
0.74%
Total Operating Increase
$75,804
0.23%
Capital
$319,000
0.98%
General Budgetary Increase
$394,804
Police Services
$166,700
0.51%
2.13%
Library Services
$29,000
0.09%
2.96%
$590,504
1.81%
1.81%
Total Budgetary Increase Total 2023 Tax Levy
y
C
0.36%
1.67%
$33,135,964
25
Community Service Partners The City of Owen Sound works with a number of organizations to enhance the services offered to the community. We provide support through funding, facilities, sharing resources, and more.
YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce The YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce at the Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre builds strong kids, strong families. It provides opportunities for personal development in Health, Child Care, Community Programs, Housing Support and Employment Services.
Marine & Rail Museum Travel back in time to Owen Sound’s industrial past when the city was a thriving port. Housed in a former Canadian National Railway Station on the waterfront, the Museum’s artifacts, scale models, archival photos, and interactive stations bring to life the days of sail and steam. Discover the history and heritage of an era when Owen Sound was called “the Chicago of the North.”
River District Board of Management The Owen Sound Downtown Improvement Area was formed by downtown merchants in 1973 and was renamed the River District Board of Management in 2021. The RDBOM is committed to developing a vibrant, visitor friendly downtown core to attract and retain business and grow a vibrant, safe and fun downtown.
Billy Bishop Museum The Billy Bishop Home & Museum is a National Historic Site of Canada that commemorates the life and achievements of World War I flying ace and Victoria Cross winner Air Marshall William Avery “Billy” Bishop, and Canada’s aviation history.
Festival of Northern Lights The Festival of Northern Lights is an award-winning annual display of Christmas lights throughout Harrison Park and the River District. Approximately 25 KM of light strings and over 400 lit designs are hung each year.
27
Operational Highlights: Service Improvements & Continuations Late 2022 saw Owen Sound get hit with two severe winter storms; one midNovember, and one in late December. Owen Sound has a unique topography, which makes it a beautiful place to live and play, but with approximately 282 lane kilometres of streets and 105 kilometres of sidewalks, winter weather can also cause havoc when it comes to winter control operations. Although the winter storms at the end of 2022 provided a “one-two-punch” and caused significant road closures throughout Grey County, the Owen Sound winter maintenance team did not have to close any roads while operating a cost-effective “lean” winter fleet across three shifts that work 24/7. OwenSound.ca/WinterControl
330.4 cm
amount of average snowfall in Owen Sound; the most in Ontario
Bell Fibre to Home Infrastructure The Bell Fibre to the Home project represents a huge investment in their fibre infrastructure within the City of Owen Sound. In order to facilitate this work, the City Water and Wastewater staff have been processing locate requests at approximately 400% of the normal yearly rate.
Sewage Pumping Station Improvements Two new sewage pumping stations were installed in 2022 (the Sydenham Crescent Pumping Station and the forcemain on East Bayshore Road). 2022 was the first calendar year where there were ZERO wet-weather related sewage bypass events!
Additionally, as this work has been done, City staff have incorporated the water and wastewater infrastructure service locations into the Cty’s Geographical Information System. This will greatly assist future operations. The map pictured to the right shows the progress status as of the end of 2022.
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808 2nd Avenue East Owen Sound, ON N4K 2H4 P. 519-376-1440 E. kallan@owensound.ca www.owensound.ca
Appendix A:
Segmented Budget Sheet By Service
Appendix B:
Operating Budget & Variance Detail Sheets
