Peterborough Homeowners Staring Down a 9.59% Property Tax Hike in 2024

While inflation has taken its toll on household budgets, it’s also hammering the financial books of the city of Peterborough.

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

Earlier this week, city staff released the draft 2024 budget. As a result of growing costs, the document proposes an all-inclusive property tax increase of 9.59 per cent in 2024.

So, what does that mean for the average homeowner?

The proposed increase would see your annual property tax bill grow by $167.17 per $100,000 of residential property assessment.

Or, if your property is assessed at $260,000, you would pay an extra $434.61 on your yearly tax bill.

To figure out what the proposal means for you, the city of Peterborough has a tool to help.

Where is the money being spent?

Proposed operating expenses for the city in 2024 will be $359 million ($173.9 million of that will be paid through property taxes).

Proposed capital costs will come in at $128.2 million.

The departments and agencies proposing to spend the most tax dollars include police, the fire department, social services, transit, public works, parks and recreation, and paramedics. Another large expense is capital financing costs.

The entire document is available to view HERE.

What’s causing the increase?

There are a number of reasons for the increase. However, general inflationary pressures are a big reason why.

However, other factors for the rise in costs include:

- Upgrading transit service

- Improving customer service

- Strengthening municipal law enforcement

- Rising policing costs

- Increased insurance costs

What could be cut?

Lowering the proposed increase by 1% would require $1.9 million in reductions. City staff have laid out a laundry list of possible cuts across a variety of departments.

Some of the larger potential areas to save money include (savings in brackets):

- Cancel downtown street surface repair program ($2.3 million)

- Defer traffic calming program ($700,000)

- Defer Towerhill Link Environmental Assessment ($600,000)

- Cancel Service Enhancement Plan ($530,000)

- Defer various new sidewalk installations ($500,000)

- Defer hiring four municipal law enforcement officers ($305,305)  and purchasing two security vehicles ($200,000)

- Full cost recovery of planning applications ($300,000)

- Cut statutory holiday transit service ($190,000)

- Close directly operated child care ($150,000)

- Increase transit fees ($100,000)

Planned Capital Projects

There are 147 capital projects proposed to begin (or be completed) in 2024. The projects come in at a cost of $128.2 million.

Some of those projects include:

- New arena and aquatics complex

- Brealey Drive construction from Lansdowne Street to Sherbrooke Street

- Pavement preservation program

- Lansdowne Street rehabilitation from Park Street to Otonabee River

- Charlotte Street upgrades from Water Street to Park Street

- Transit Garage replacement

- Curtis Creek watershed improvements

- Bonnerworth Park Redevelopment Project

- Downtown street resurface repairs

How to get involved

Nov. 9: Public meeting, brief presentation and opportunity to ask questions, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at McDonnel Street Community Centre, 577 McDonnel St.

Nov. 14: Informal drop-in from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. in the main foyer, at City Hall, 500 George St. N.

Nov. 14: Finance committee will hear from registered delegations, starting at 6 p.m., at City Hall, 500 George St. N. Register at peterborough.ca/delegations or call 705-742-7777 ext. 1820

Nov. 15: Finance committee meeting with outside boards and agencies, but no public delegations. Takes place at City Hall, 500 George St. N.

Nov. 20 to 23: Finance committee reviews and debates draft budget, but no public delegations.

Dec. 11: Council votes final budget. Registered delegations can present beforehand. Takes place at City Hall, 500 George St. N.

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City Council Appoints David Potts As New Commissioner of Legislative Services

City Council has appointed David Potts as the new Commissioner of Legislative Services for the City of Peterborough, effective immediately.

Potts holds a law degree from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) degree from Western University. He is certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist, Municipal Law (Local Government). Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The announcement was made at the City Council’s meeting on Monday.

Potts also serves as the City Solicitor for the City of Peterborough, a position he has held since June 2018. Before joining the City of Peterborough, Potts was the City of Oshawa’s legal counsel for 19 years, including 17 years as its City Solicitor.

As the Commissioner of Legislative Services, Potts leads a department that includes Legal Services, the City’s Clerk’s Office, Court Services, Municipal Law Enforcement Services, and Realty Services.

Council has expressed its vision to enhance the delivery of the critical functions within the Legislative Services Department, including bylaw enforcement, to meet the community's needs better moving forward according to Mayor Jeff Leal.

“Dave has the experience and knowledge to lead the department through this exciting period of change,” he said.

“I am looking forward to working with Dave in this senior leadership role and use his knowledge and vast experience in our exciting journey to make the City of Peterborough a future-ready City,” said Jasbir Raina, Chief Administrative Officer.

Legislative Services is a new department for the City of Peterborough, which was created as part of a recent reorganization to position the City to be future-ready, realigning existing divisions, services and programs within the administrative structure of the City of Peterborough according to a press release.

Potts has served as the acting Commissioner of Legislative Services since the department was created on Oct. 2.

As the community positions itself for growth and progress, it will be critical that the City learns from the experiences of other municipalities while simultaneously implementing services in a way that considers the local context for Peterborough, Potts said.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the City’s talented, dedicated group of professionals in my new role as we implement Council’s vision as expressed through its Strategic Plan: Peterborough 2050,” he said. '“I’m grateful to Council and my staff colleagues for this additional opportunity to serve my hometown.”

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Peterborough County Launches 'Warden for a Day' Campaign For Grade 9-12 Students

In celebration of last week (Local Government Week), Peterborough County is inviting youth in grades 9 – 12 to enter the ‘Warden for a Day,’ contest running until Nov. 3.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This initiative aims to inform students in the local community about the Warden's responsibilities, the services Peterborough County provides for its residents and the various career and elected office opportunities within local government according to a press release. The County says it aspires to raise awareness among young people about the significance of engaging in their local government.

The winner will be invited to participate in the Nov. 22 Peterborough County Council meeting and will join Warden Bonnie Clark at the County Courthouse for a lunch, a tour of County facilities and prizes

To enter, students must answer two questions in the format of a 60-second video:

1. What do you love about living in Peterborough County?

2. What is one thing that you would do as Warden?

The online submission form can be found online with the deadline on Nov. 3 at midnight.

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Mayor’s Task Force Created To Address Housing Future Growth

Mayor Jeff Leal has created the Mayor’s Task Force on Housing and Future Growth to bring together developers and builders in a forum to look at ways to support the construction of housing announced on Thursday.

File Photo.

Through an initiative supported by the Province of Ontario, the City of Peterborough has been streamlining development application processes to ensure the efficient processing of applications according to a press release. The work has included consultation with the development community.

“There is an opportunity to continue to build on the work that has been undertaken, to move our community forward, together,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “We need further input from the development community on any other opportunities for municipal support and to consider barriers to accelerating housing starts that may be outside of municipal control.”

The Task Force will assist the City as it works to meet its target of adding 4,700 new housing units by 2031 – a target established by the Province as stated by the City.

The composition of the Task Force will generally represent a balanced cross-section of developers or builders with experience in different housing units such as new single-detached houses on previously undeveloped land, rental apartments, redevelopment or intensification of urban properties, and mixed-use commercial and residential development.

“The City will need a mix of housing types and densities to meet its growth targets and to meet the needs of residents,” said Leal.

The Task Force is expected to report to the Mayor on its recommendations within six months.

Many factors impact the creation of housing. As a municipal government, the City grants certain approvals often influenced by provincial or federal policies. Housing construction is also greatly influenced by the financial considerations of the day, such as the labour market, the cost of materials and interest rates.

Although the City generally does not directly build housing units, the City’s Municipal Housing Corporation is exploring opportunities to develop around 700 units over the next 10 years as stated in a press release.

The province approved the City’s Official Plan in April. The Official Plan establishes how the community will grow between now and 2051. The vision from that guiding document will provide a framework for managing how the new housing is added to the community.

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Ontario Government Provides One-Time Funding Increase of $2.5 Million For Homeless Prevention in Peterborough and the County

Peterborough and the County just got an extra $2,492,700 for homelessness prevention now totalling $7,657,000 for the city’s budget, announced by MPP Dave Smith at City Hall on Wednesday morning.

In 2022, the government introduced the More Homes Built Faster Act to address the housing crisis by building 1.5 million homes by 2031. Photo by David Tuan bui.

The money is part of the Ontario government’s investment of an additional $202 million for the province’s annually in the province’s Homelessness Prevention Program and Indigenous Supporting Housing Program, bringing Ontario’s total yearly investment in these programs to close to $700 million.

The funding is meant to support the most vulnerable by providing supportive housing and homelessness prevention services.

“Peterborough, like so many cities across Ontario, is experiencing a homelessness crisis,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “This funding from the Province of Ontario will help support our most vulnerable with critical homelessness prevention and supportive housing services.”

The additional funding has come as a surprise to some City staff and Council members as the budget was finalized in January according to Smith. The money will be added to the original budget the City had intended for homelessness.

“This gives them an opportunity then to make some plans on what they're going to do with it,” he said.

City Council has until April 1 next year to spend the money as they see fit in a ‘use it or lose it’ situation and cannot be banked for next year’s funding.

Smith also added that partially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were more people who were unhoused and this increase in funding is in recognition of that increasing number.

“When we were developing the budget this year, we were able to find some additional funding that flowed into it,” he explained.

When asked about how many people it will aid, Smith says it’s hard to gauge as it could be premature to issue a number. He continued saying it could be as low as the high 90s but can reach the 300s.

“I think the most important thing we should be looking at is taking that snapshot in time, where are we sitting right now, how many individuals do we have that need that additional support and what plans can we put in place to address that,’ he explained.

Smith recognized during provincial budget talks that Peterborough was a city in significant need of reducing homelessness issues.

“We need to make sure we’re proactive so we don’t find ourselves in a position in July or August of this year that a number of individuals see themselves where their only recourse is to set up a tent at Victoria Park,” said Smith.

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City of Peterborough Honours Passing of Former Mayor Jack Doris

Peterborough’s former mayor and councillor Jack Doris’s memory is being honoured after his passing at the age of 91 on Sunday, announced by the City of Peterborough’s Twitter.

File Photo.

Doris spent the past 45 years on council that included 14 terms as a city councillor and two mayoral terms. In 1967, he was first elected to city council and was an alderman until 1991 when he became mayor. He worked at General Electric prior to his mayor tenure.

The former mayor received a key to the city in September 2014 during his retirement ceremony when he was 83 years old.

City Hall and the Peterborough Police Station have put their flags at half-mast to honour Doris’s life and accomplishments for the city.

Doris worked as a board member of the Peterborough Police service from 1987-97. He also was also a member of the building committee for their headquarters in the late 1960s.

City Hall had their flags at half-mast in honour of Doris on Monday. Photo by David Tuan bui.

Mayor Jeff Leal issued a statement regarding Doris’s passing:

"I offer my deepest condolences to the family of Jack Doris, including his wife, Sheila, his six daughters, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren. Jack was a remarkable person and public servant who served the community on City Council for 45 years as a councillor and mayor. Through his years of public service and his work in the community, Jack was completely devoted to making Peterborough a better place. Jack touched the lives of so many. He will be greatly missed.”

City councillors Lesley Parnell, Alex Bierk and MP Michelle Ferreri sent their regards on Doyle’s passing over Twitter.

“Our very sincere condolences on the passing of former Mayor Jack Doris,” said Parnell.

“Jack Doris was a legend and a Peterborough icon. RIP. Thinking of his family and my buddy Ferg, his grandson. Lots of love,” said Bierk.

“Rest in peace, Jack Doris. You were a true gentleman, you served Peterborough well. You had a great way to deliver: ‘All in favour? Carrrry’ Always a gentle voice and a caring heart. Thank you for your service, Mr. Doris. Peterborough was lucky to have you,” said Ferreri.

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City of Peterborough Honours Two Petes For World Juniors Gold Medal Performance

Peterborough Petes’ Owen Beck and Brennan Othmann were honoured by Council at City Hall for their gold-medal performances during the World Juniors Championships at the beginning of Monday’s General Committee meeting.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Mayor Jeff Leal made a presentation on behalf of City Council recognizing their efforts for the Petes and Peterborough.

Othmann was obtained from the Flint Firebirds on Nov. 12, several months prior to the deadline. The Petes dealt Artem Guryev, two second-round and one third-round pick for Othmann. He was drafted 16th overall by the New York Rangers in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Beck was acquired from the Mississauga Steelheads in exchange for Jack Van Volsen, Justin DeZoete, Peterborough’s second and third-round picks in 2025, Erie’s second-round pick in 2025 and Peterborough’s fourth-round pick in 2026 on Jan. 7.

He was a late call-up to Team Canada for the World Juniors on New Year’s Day after an injury to Colton Dach. He had 17 goals and 23 assists in 30 games with the Steelheads this season prior to being traded to the Petes on Jan. 7.

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Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith Has Grand Opening of New Constituency Office

Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith’s new Action Centre constituency office had its grand opening at the Asta Spirit Plaza on Wednesday.

Staff and friends applud the grand opening of MPP Smith’s new constituency office that is roughly 2,300 sq. ft. , an upgrade of approximately 1,400 sq. ft.Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The office is in Unit E of the plaza, located at 864 Chemong Rd. It replaces the prior location on 1123 Water St. Smith moved the office since the property was to be demolished to construct new housing units.

The new space has been operable since December but renovations had recently finished prior to the grand opening.

The location created greater accessibility for not just Peterborough but for the Kawarthas as well according to Smith.

“Almost 50 per cent of the population of this riding lives to the north and east of The City of Peterborough,” he explained. “I need to make sure that wherever we went was going to be a spot that was easily accessible for someone coming down from Kinmount or coming from Havelock or North Kawartha.”

He also emphasized that the new 2,300-square-foot location created a barrier-free space, something he was adamant about ensuring when he chose the new location. Full wheelchair accessibility, an automatic door opener, widened doorways and room upgrades were improvements made to the Chemong Road building.

“This is all wheelchair accessible, it's barrier-free and that was one of the main things for me, If someone wanted to come see their MPP, they have an opportunity to come here regardless of what disability they may or may not have.”

The expanded space added a new feature for the public as the Action Centre has in-person private constituent rooms for anyone wishing to speak to Smith or his staff.

“If somebody comes in and wants to talk to one of the constituent assistants or myself about something that's a little sensitive, we have an area we can go to now that's a little more private,” explained Smith. “They don't have to be sharing that information with others if they're coming in.”

The grand opening also had a ribbon-cutting ceremony that signified the end of renovations and that the office was running at 100 per cent.

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City of Peterborough Accepting Applications For Citizen Appointments to City Council Advisory Committees

The City of Peterborough is taking applications for its advisory committees to provide input and feedback on the provision of municipal services for the Peterborough community with the deadline on Jan. 13 at 4:30 p.m.

“Citizen participation is essential for a healthy democracy. We are better when we work together,” said Mayor Jeff Leal.  “Citizens who participate on advisory committees provide valuable input into City initiatives. If you have a keen interest in one of the current vacancies, I encourage you to apply.”

Citizen appointments are volunteer opportunities with all applicants required to be Peterborough residents as interviews may be required.

Applications are reviewed by City Council’s Citizen Appointment Selection Committee. The Committee will make recommendations to Council for its consideration.

The following are vacancies on the following committees:

• Accessibility Advisory Committee – three vacancies (Four-year term)

• Age-Friendly Peterborough Advisory Committee – One vacancy (Two-year term)

• Airport Strategic Initiatives Committee – Two vacancies (Two-year term)

• Arts and Culture Advisory Committee – Five vacancies (Four-year term)

• Arenas, Parks and Recreation Committee – One vacancy (Four-year term)

• Citizens’ War Memorial Advisory Committee – One vacancy (Four-year term)

• Committee of Adjustment – Five vacancies (Four-year term)

• Community Investment Grants Advisory Committee – Eight vacancies (Three-year term)

• Museum and Archives Advisory Committee – One vacancy (Four-year term)

• Peterborough Public Library – Six vacancies (Four-year term)

• Planning Advisory Committee – Four vacancies (Four-year term)

• Police Services Board - One vacancy (Four-year term)

• Property Standards Committee – Five vacancies (Four-year term)

• Tree and Woodlands Appeals Committee – Three vacancies (Four-year term)

Applications are available online and hard copies are available at the Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 500 George St. N., Peterborough. Completed applications may be submitted online, dropped off or mailed to City Hall no later than Jan. 13 at 4:30 p.m.

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Sherry Senis Sworn In as Peterborough County Deputy Warden

Sherry Senis, mayor of Selwyn was sworn in as the Peterborough County Deputy Warden on Wendesday.

Senis takes over the role of Deputy Warden after J. MUrray Jones. The latter served for 11 years as warden. Photo courtesy of Peterborough County.

Senis assumed the role after being selected by Warden Clark on Dec. 2.

The new Deputy Warden has served in municipal government since 2006, first as a member of Selwyn township council representing Smith Ward. She became Deputy Mayor in 2014 and was acclaimed Mayor of Selwyn during the October municipal elections. Mayor Senis’ selection represents the first time that Peterborough County Council has had both leadership positions held by women.

“I am honoured and pleased that Warden Clark has asked me to take on the role of Deputy Warden, I am passionate about my Township as well as Peterborough County,” said Senis. “There is much we can do and I am looking forward to dealing with any opportunities and challenges as they arise and working together, we can achieve this. I look forward to working alongside Warden Clark, my fellow Councillors, the greater community and staff.”

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