Community and Protective Services Committee
2010 Budget Estimates Highlights

CPS Accomplishments to-date

Measured against the approved Corporate Strategic Plan, the City has succeeded in many areas:

• Opened the Albion Heatherington Community Centre
• Developed a new parkland dedication strategy
• Drafted two new neighbourhood plan documents – in collaboration with community members
• Designated 4 pilot neighbourhoods to participate in community development framework
• Opened the new Shenkman Arts Centre
• Initiated the development of a Poverty Reduction Strategy
• Produced the “Faces of Ottawa” Report, and designed and developed an Immigration web portal
• Purchased 55 units of supportive housing for the vulnerable and homeless
• Purchased 6 new units of affordable housing for families who were homeless
• Provided rent bank funding in partnership with the Salvation Army to help 264 families retain housing
• Approved 155 units of affordable housing through Action Ottawa and Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program
• Approved additional funds from the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program for the development of another 247 units of affordable housing at Metcalfe Street
• Secured over $46M for social housing repair and $7.2M for new affordable housing programs
• Increased the number of francophone recreational activities by 31%
• Implemented francophone child care catch-up plan, creating 202 subsidized spaces
• Performed accessibility audits for 50 City facilities, and developed and implemented plans to address barriers
• Completed public consultations and developed recommendations for a new governance model for the Board of Health
• Developed Energy Management and Investment Strategy to manage utility costs
• $7M investment in energy reduction measures within existing buildings between 2002 and 2009 resulting in savings of over $1.5M

The 2010 budget estimates allow for the continuation of these successes as well as other initiatives that will help achieve corporate goals set out in the Strategic Plan such as the development and implementation of a real time search and on-line booking system for City recreation facilities, many capital improvements, and the implementation of a new business model for the newly amalgamated Community and Social Services Department in line with the principles of integration and seamless service delivery.

2010 CPS Budget Highlights

The 2010 budget estimates associated with the CPS Committee do not include any sweeping reduction options as in previous years and limits its budget increase to 1.2%. The budget estimates reflect cost of living and inflationary increases as well as innovative savings that result in efficient operations. The budget estimates also ensure that the City is enhancing public health and safety while holding the line on budgetary increases.

In general, 2010 pressures stem from contract settlement agreements, inflationary increases, mandated program rate increases and increased demand for service. These pressures are offset by savings found through provincial uploading, corporate reorganization, service excellence initiatives, and scrutinizing revenues and expenditures.

Some key highlights of the budget include:

• Regulated rate increases for Ontario Works benefits and Long Term Care programs as mandated by the Province
• Funding to address increased Ontario Works caseloads and demands for housing and shelter supports as a direct result of the economy
• No increased funding for social services administration ensuring that all costs associated with increased OW caseloads are absorbed within existing resources
• Commitment to stabilize childcare system during a period of instability
• Inflationary increases for child-care providers
• Continuation of funding aimed at ending homelessness
• Museum Sustainability Plan – continued capital investment
• Arts Investment Strategy and Festivals Plan to complete Council commitment
• Inflationary increases for community agencies
• Continued commitment to Community Funding catch up plans
• Funding to address priority public health issues in our City
• Investments in a new fire station in the west end of the City.
• Paramedic funding for catch up and growth as per three-year plan approved in 2007 to fully meet response time standards and best serve the health and safety needs of our community
• Resources to maintain current parks assets and accommodate the expansion of new parks and facilities
• A modest increase in funding for waste management inspections to respond to a significant increase in demand for service and enable a more seamless and effective response to complaints
• Proposal to develop on-line facility booking for all City recreational facilities
• Implementation of a new business model for Community and Social Services Department to achieve program integration and seamless service delivery
• Reduction in energy costs due to projected significant returns on several retrofit and greening initiatives

2010 CPS Budget Estimate numbers in brief

Proposed Operating Budget (In thousands $000)

Proposed Capital Budget authority of $48.6 million including:

• $35.4 million for the renewal and maintenance of City assets such as recreation and parks facilities and fire and paramedic equipment and facilities
• $0.5 million for the Museum sustainability program
• $0.5 million for renovations to the Carp fire station
• $1.3 million for additional paramedic vehicles and equipment
• $0.9 million to improve the public’s access to recreation facility booking systems
• $0.59 million to implement a new business model for Community and Social Services Department

Next Steps

During late October and early November each of the City’s standing committees will review and discuss program area budgets relevant to their mandates. See Standing Committee Meetings for exact dates for each committee.

The CPS draft budget estimates will be tabled and debated at the Community and Protective Services Committee meeting on October 29th. Anyone wishing to register as a delegation at CPS Committee can call 613-580 2424 ext. 28821 or email Marc.Desjardins@ottawa.ca .

Key budget dates following the CPS Committee meeting include:

November 17, 2009: All Committee draft budgets rise to Audit, Budget and Finance Committee
December 9, 2009: Consolidated 2010 draft budget tabled at Council
January 25 – 29, 2010: Committee of the Whole consideration and approval of the 2010 Budget