VALUE FOR SERVICE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TAX 2017 Results for the Community
Value for Service: Residential Property Tax The City of Fredericton prides itself on being a smart, sustainable city offering a cost competitive business environment and balanced lifestyle with abundant recreational and cultural amenities. Internationally and nationally recognized for municipal and community efforts, the City delivers more than 60 programs and services to residents and visitors alike in a planned, focused, and financially responsible manner. The municipality is actively using improvement and innovation efforts to become more efficient and effective, resulting in improved services and savings for the corporation and customers. Together with its community stakeholders, the City of Fredericton has become the Startup Capital of Canada having just recently been named the 2016 Startup Community of the Year by Startup Canada. Fredericton is also one of the most vibrant, small cities in North America Where The Budget Comes From Non-Residential Property Tax (Commercial) 35.4% Community Funding Grant 1.6% User Charges, Licenses, Fees & Other 10.7% Residential Property Tax 52.3% The following document provides information on the City of Fredericton s 2017 Budget, both revenue and expenses, and gives a monthly breakdown of residential tax dollars at work based on the value of an average home in Fredericton. Where the money comes from The municipal services city residents receive each day are funded primarily through property tax. In 2017, residential property tax generated 52.3 per cent of the City of Fredericton s annual budget or 59,208,133 while non-residential (commercial) property tax generated 35.4 per cent of the total, or 40,087,860. In addition, revenues from user charges, licences and fees made up 10.7 per cent of the budget, or 12,062,142, while the Community Funding Grant received from the Province of New Brunswick remained at 1.6 per cent of total revenues for the City of Fredericton, or 1,800,174.
Where the money goes Fredericton City Council approved a 113,158,309 million general fund budget for 2017. This funds all city services, except water and sewer expenses, which are funded by user fees collected quarterly through water and sewer bills. The water and sewer utility budget for 2017 is 19.1 million. By law, New Brunswick municipalities must have balanced budgets; deficits are not permitted. Your Property Tax Dollars: A Monthly Breakdown 72.11 96.58 Funds from the approved general fund budget are used to provide services in six external programs, including Economic Vitality, Environmental Stewardship, Governance & Civic Engagement, Liveable Community, Mobility, and Public Safety. 49.17 11.83 14.92 12.62 Note: These external programs are supported by the Sustainable Infrastructure, and the internal Corporate program, which includes various aspects related to the management of communications, finances, facilities, fleet and equipment, human resources, information and technology infrastructure, purchasing, and real estate. Related costs from these services are divided across the external programs. Your Residential Tax Dollars: A Monthly Breakdown Most households budget for monthly expenditures, whether it is a payment for a mortgage, vehicle, power, telephone, cable, phone, Internet, or some other sort of recurring expense. To better understand what programs and services residents receive for their municipal tax dollars, the following monthly breakdown is provided based on the value of an average house in Fredericton. In 2017, the average assessed value of a house in Fredericton is 217,219, making the average property tax bill for the year 3,086.90 or 257.24 per month. Public Safety Mobility Liveable Community Economic Vitality 2017 Average assessed home value = 217,219 @ 1.4211 / 100 Annual tax bill = 3,086.90 Monthly tax bill = 257.24 Governance & Civic Engagement Environmental Stewardship
Public Safety Public Safety includes the protection of people and property through police and fire services, emergency management and enforcement of appropriate legislation. 96.58 51.84 Police Proactive Policing / Crime Prevention Police Emergency Response Delivering public safety through a contemporary community policing model Investigating and Traffic Enforcement Contemporary community policing to engage people and increase a sense of personal ownership/responsibility in building a safe community Make Neighbouhood Action Offices welcoming to the community; vibrant; active and engaging resource centers for the public and the police force Implement a comprehensive Intimate Partner Violence strategy Identify and address high-risk youth and proactively engage youth at risk to help find them the help they require Use traffic enforcement and traffic engineering to keep streets safe for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists Partner on Crime Prevention through Social Development programs targeted at social problems Provide prevention and education programs to reduce crime Communicate with member of the public in order to build public trust, respect and confidence in Police Value stream mapping and Lean Six Sigma efficiency projects Staff recruitment process improvement projects Backfilling process aimed at filling vacancies Service improvements Wandering persons and autism registry On-line reporting Public education and social media Crime and traffic safety analysis Explore and partner on innovative traffic safety solutions Evaluate Traffic Safety Strategy 40.02 Fire Fire Emergency Response (Fire, Accident & Medical) Fire Investigation Fire Prevention & Inspection Deploy timely, well-equipped, effective and caring response teams to all types of emergency situations Provide comprehensive and professional investigative services that result in equitable and cost effective prosecution of cases Inspect buildings according to the Fire Prevention Act Inspect building and construction for compliance with codes and bylaws Provide prevention and education programs to reduce fires Communicate with members of the public in order to build public trust, respect and confidence in Police & Fire Implementation of the FFD Fire Strategic Plan which identified ten (10) Strategic Priorities such as Communication, Community Involvement, Training Performance Evaluation and Wellness Continued commitment to provide fire safety education to all Elementary Schools within the City of Fredericton Strategic plan implementation Pre-determined response planning for critical facilities On-shift training officers Inspections Mobile technology implementation for improved inspection capabilities Fire Suppression Crews training on routine fire safety inspections Fire training equipment
Public Safety Public Safety includes the protection of people and property through police and fire services, emergency management and enforcement of appropriate legislation. 96.58 2.60 Emergency Preparedness Emergency Preparedness Coordination Coordinated response between City departments and external agencies to deal with emergencies Enable appropriate staging of plans, personnel and equipment to deal with natural disasters, extreme weather, utility outages and significant community events Promote readiness for all types of natural disasters and emergencies by regularly testing and exercising Emergency Preparedness Emergency shelter backup generator and community partnerships 2.12 By-law Enforcement & Building Inspection Animal Registration & Control Building Permits & Inspection By-Law enforcement Licenses Inspect buildings and construction for compliance with codes and bylaws Enforce codes and bylaws to ensure that properties are safe Regulate taxis and street vendors Increase effort on proactive initiatives under Dangerous/Unsightly Bylaw. Increase the number of on-line requests by 15% through Accella. Continue to ensure 90% of files opened will be brought into compliance or processed with submitted request for legal assistance for non-compliance where applicable. Increase the level of satisfaction, excellent and good, by 5% during for Animal Control service in the 2015 Citizen Attitude Survey Building Permits & Inspections Mobile Inspections Technology By-law Enforcement Increase efforts on proactive initiatives under Dangerous/ Unsightly Bylaw and overall review of service By-law enforcement process review
Mobility Mobility focuses on the movement of people and goods through a well planned transportation system that provides efficient movement of people and vehicles. 72.11 60.30 Roadway Operations Right-of-Ways & Easements Engineering Planning Roads & Streets Sidewalks Maintenance for Streets & Sidewalks Enhance Pedestrian & Active Transportation Systems Enhance Vehicle Movement Systems Identify and Address Gaps in Connectivity Address Deficiencies Provide Snow & Ice Control Sidewalk Management Downtown Sidewalk Salting for improved pedestrian safety Sidewalk extensions tying into accessible Transit School zone walking study implementation Roadway Management Alternate transportation connection plan Carleton Street reconstruction to City Centre Plan design Preventative anti-icing trails to improve winter safety 11.53 Transit Chartered Busing Dial-A-Bus Transit Fredericton Transit *The transit system operates Monday to Saturday, on ten fixed transit routes Provide a variety of public transportation options Fixed Route Scheduled Transit ReadyPass mobile app for route mapping and tracking Continue building accessible route options and make bus stop improvements to help with accessibility Transit core area service study Para-transit Improvement and efficiency project to increase capacity to meet customer needs 0.28 Parking Services Parking Management Provide convenient short-term, long-term and special purpose parking options Enforcement to ensure compliance Parking Management Parking Management Study in partnership with Downtown Fredericton Inc.
Liveable Community A socially progressive and diverse community offering opportunities for cultural enrichment and active living, while ensuring preservation of the City s cultural and historical identity. 49.17 23.50 Recreation, Culture & Community Development Aquatics Instruction Recreation Facility Scheduling Recreation Partner Development Recreation Programming Special Event Support Enable and strengthen the capacity of community-level groups offering recreation, sport, leisure, and arts and culture services that the City would otherwise provide Support affordable fee structures and achieve a high level of participation in basic recreation, sport and culture Provide opportunities for unstructured active, leisure and cultural activities Develop unique interactive community based programs Provide welcoming and attractive recreation, sport, and leisure facilities that are safe, clean and well maintained Ensure a good cross section of facilities and spaces that offer a diversity of programs and amenities that serves the greatest number of city residents Build community clusters with activities near each other, providing mixed use community facilities such as recreation hubs, multi use parks, and trails Leisure and Recreation Delivery Free public skate at all facilities and bench seat warming. Improved booking process for facilities 14.52 Parks and Trees Outdoor Sport, Recreation and Leisure Places & Spaces Plants & Flowers Trees Enhance and maintain the attractiveness and cleanliness of public places Maintain an urban forest canopy Provide attractive landscaping in public places Outdoor Sport Recreation & Leisure Spaces & Infrastructure Historic Garrison District Plan Officers Square repair of critical infrastructure and detailed design of plan concepts Park Master Plan renewal for Odell Park and Wilmot Park Plan implementation for Carleton Park and Killarney Park Upgrades to neighbourhood playground infrastructure
Liveable Community A socially progressive and diverse community offering opportunities for cultural enrichment and active living, while ensuring preservation of the City s cultural and historical identity. 49.17 6.21 Cultural Development Cultural programming and learning opportunities Includes: The Fredericton Playhouse (City maintains building / Provides operational & capital grants / Operated by Fredericton Playhouse Inc.) Fredericton Public Library Downtown & Nashwaaksis (Own & maintain Downtown library building / Provide some operational funding / Operated by the NB Library Service) Take a leadership role in public art Provide welcoming and attractive arts and cultural facilities that are safe, clean and well maintained Understand growing or emerging cultural needs that are underserved Deliver quality cultural programming, festivals & events Support development of a new performing arts centre Pursue implementation of the Culture Master Plan 4.94* Community Development Development Approval Heritage Planning & Conservation Long Range Land Use Planning *Total offset by user charges, permits, licences, fees and other Preserve historical and heritage sites Build relationships that engage the public on planning and development issues and other community specific issues Meet regulatory obligations for community planning Increase development density to optimize services and amenities and intensify development with mixed uses Ensure development is complementary to the City s natural environment and history Development Approval and Land Use Planning Initiating Carleton Street Redevelopment, Phase I of the shared street concepts and public spaces Subdivision bylaw review
Economic Vitality Economic vitality focuses on the economic health, diversity and prosperity of our community. 14.92 2.35 Economic Development Business Attraction & Retention Economic Development efforts guided by Vision 2020 Economic Development Strategy designed to position Fredericton as Atlantic Canada s Start-up Capital Provide basic business planning, mentorship and counselling for local businesses wanting to start and grow Increase foreign investment in new businesses by coordinating and attracting new immigrant entrepreneurs Attract established businesses to invest in Fredericton Provide leadership, collaboration, technology and financial support for agencies and organizations that provide direct support services for innovators and growth entrepreneurs. Monitor innovation efforts with measures that show the number of start-ups supported and the number of commercialized products/services Develop economic marketing materials and marketing promotions Provide information for entrepreneurs and business leaders looking to locate or start a business in Fredericton Provide information that showcases the entrepreneurial ecosystem, support system, and successful track record. Business Attraction & Retention Continued investment in Ignite Fredericton Support Vision 2020 Start-up Capital Funding for the Chamber of Commerce Immigrant Succession Matching Pilot Program Community funding grants for Makerspace and Science East 12.57 Tourism Tourism Development & Operation Tourism Marketing & Sales Includes: Tourism Programs: Changing of the Guard, the Summer Music Series, Under the Stars Classic Film Series, and the edventures learning vacation program. Includes: Increase event based tourism through sports tourism, conventions, and repeatable cultural festivals and events Develop unique interactive community based programs to attract tourism Market the strong heritage and cultural theme of the City Tourism Marketing & Sales Emphasis on marketing to Leisure and Convention, Sport Tourism Tourism Development & Operations Additional Community Fund Grants to support marquee festivals New Tourism website media and branding Garrison District Master Plan Improvements to the Visitor Guide development process Fredericton Convention Centre (City owns & maintains building / Provides operational grant / Governed by a volunteer board of directors)
Environmental Stewardship This program focuses on the environmental health and vibrancy of the community s natural assets and how they interface with our built environment. 11.83 7.92 Solid Waste Management Composting Garbage & Recycling Collection Provide diversion options for waste away from landfill. Solid Waste Management Solid waste management program review and collection study 3.88 Storm Water Management Storm Water Management Plan for long term climate change and climate events. Storm Water Management Continued climate change adaptation studies and development of strategies for municipal infrastructure Upgrade of storm sewers in coordination with Water and Sewer renewal projects and to initiate the City Centre Plan urban design elements 0.04 Environmental Outreach Environmental education and advocacy Increased awareness of environmental issues. Environmental Outreach Renewable energy strategy development with a focus on City owned facilities and partnerships for renewable energy investments
Governance & Civic Engagement Vision, leadership and decision-making for the common good, generated by an informed and engaged community working in collaboration with City government. 12.62 12.62 Governance & Civic Engagement Community Leadership Community Relations Corporate Leadership City Council is the democratically elected level of government that is closest to the citizens of Fredericton. Council and City staff work with individuals and groups in the community to bring the shared vision for our city to life. The result is responsive and responsible local government that is able to balance competing needs and make decisions that are in the common good. Our citizens are engaged and our leadership is effective, well informed and trusted. Community Leadership Continue the Imagine Fredericton public engagement and visioning for the Municipal Plan Review Continue support to community groups with funding through the community funding grants program City Council and Council committees focus on making Fredericton the City of Choice for new residents and businesses Responsible spending with safe and secure infrastructure Strengthen alignment between Council s decision process and the master plans that have been completed Management System Improvement & Innovation Continue training in new Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt project facilitators Even more Lean Six Sigma improvement and innovations projects completed by the alumni cohorts