2020 Capital Budget approved by Budget and Audit Committee

Budget and Audit Committee approved the 2020 Capital Budget today which dedicates $50.9 million in investment for new infrastructure and to support growth of the city.

“As a city we have a responsibility to provide valuable, high quality services to the people of Cambridge while ensuring we responsibly manage taxpayer dollars,” said Mayor Kathryn McGarry. “Our 2020 Capital Budget does just that – making important and targeted investments in our city’s core infrastructure, including our roads, our recreation facilities, and our parks.”

These investments include new projects and upgrades to roads, stormwater infrastructure, public trails, and heritage preservation.  As well, it was decided that outdoor pools will be kept open for an additional year.

“By passing this capital budget we are moving forward on important projects like the Fountain Street Soccer Park, the Preston Auditorium expansion, and improvements to our multi-use trails,” added Budget Chair and Ward 3 Councillor Mike Mann. “We will come back early in the new year to pass our operating budget, and I’m confident working with staff over the next month we will be able to find further options to reduce the proposed tax increases and make wise and informed decisions.”

Highlights include:

• Investing $200,000 in a new traffic calming program to ensure public safety.
• Upgrading over 3 km of city roads to be reconstructed to improve aging infrastructure
• Moving forward on design work for important projects including the Fountain Street Soccer Park, the new Cambridge Recreation Complex, and the Preston Auditorium expansion.
• Investing $204,000 for new and redeveloped multi-use trails throughout our city
• Investing in our cemeteries, including building a new columbarium in Parklawn Cemetery
• Replacing the pedestrian bridge and trail connection behind Galt Collegiate Institute.
• Investing $265,000 for improvements to both Hespeler and Galt Arena - including new rink boards to support advertising and sponsorship revenue generation
• Developing and building a brand new city park – Highland Ridge Park
• Investing $170,000 for new play structures in two city parks - Gail St. Park and Northview Heights Lookout Park
• Implementing the Galt Core Heritage Conservation District Plan
• Continued Implementation of smart meter water technology to increase efficiencies and customer service

During budget deliberations, the Budget and Audit committee previously approved a water utility increase of 3.4 per cent in 2020 which is lower than the initial projection in the long-range financial forecast.

The operating budget, which covers the daily costs of running city services, will be debated in February 2020.

Budget highlights and the full 2020 draft Budget and Business Plan can be found at www.cambridge.ca/budget.