Mayor Laura Cabott delivered her annual operating budget for this year at Monday’s council meeting.

The proposed $93.4-million budget calls for a 2.65-per-cent increase in property taxes.

“In 2022, the average homeowner will pay $67 more in taxes, which amounts to just over $1.28 per week,” said Cabott.

“The average commercial property will pay an additional $124 in taxes, or about $2.38 a week.”

Cabott said the operating budget outlines the cost of daily services such as transit, road maintenance, snow removal and recreation programs.

“It ensures the City of Whitehorse always has funding for firefighters, lifeguards, accountants, engineers, grader operators and many other employees who deliver the City’s programs and services,” she said.

“Council and administration have worked hard to listen and to consider what Whitehorse residents have asked for, what they expect, and what they need to ensure we provide exceptional services while still keeping taxes and fees affordable.”

Council approved first reading of the budget bylaw at its meeting.

A public input session on the budget will be held at the Feb. 14 council meeting. A report on the public input received will be presented to council at its Feb. 21 meeting.

Second and third readings of the bylaw are scheduled for Feb. 28.

The $53-million capital budget for 2022 was brought forward previously.

Cabott said Monday evening that once again, the annual operating budget was being delivered against the backdrop of the continued financial effects of COVID-19.

“The pandemic has affected just about every aspect of our lives, and the city’s bottom line is no exception. As a result, it’s been a delicate balancing act, moreso than usual,” Cabott said of the budget preparations.

“You will see that we have been mindful to keep property taxes reasonable, especially when many Whitehorse residents are feeling the financial pain of the pandemic.”

Cabott said the city only collects enough property taxes to support its programs and services.

Raising taxes is a necessary action to cover the essential services for a growing community, she said.

Cabott said the city’s population is now more than 30,000, with an additional 2,000 residents arriving in the last two years alone.

“This rate of growth is expected to continue, and as the capital city, we need to be prepared for it.”

The mayor pointed out the monthly water and sewer rates will remain at $85.85.

A growing population means greater demand on city services, and, as seen in the last two years, an increase in snow removal, she said.

Cabott said with more people comes an increase in what people are asking for as the city tries to reduce its carbon footprint and adapt to climate change.

Residents, for instance, wanted better access to transportation and the city delivered, she said. The city is adding transit services, including Handy Bus services, on Sundays, she pointed out.

The Sunday service will follow established Saturday routes, schedules and timing.

Cabott said transit is also introducing service on public holidays, except for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

With improvements to transit services, she said, the city hopes to increase ridership.

Residents, she said, asked for an increase in snow removal and the city has responded by adding $240,000 this year toward winter road maintenance.

Cabott said they’ll also be adding new, full-time positions to the city’s fleet and transportation team to operate the new equipment approved in the city’s capital budget.

The city will also be hiring 12 more firefighters in the next four years at a rate of three per year, she said.

Cabott pointed out the fire department responded to 731 calls in 2021, representing an increase of 53 compared to 2020.

The addition of 12 firefighters is expensive, but will allow the department to address important staffing needs, she said.

For a few years now, Cabott said, the city has heard from residents and contractors concerned the city’s once-timely service for issuing building permits and reviewing building plans is not keeping up with growth.

The land and building services department has consistently issued in excess of 500 development permits per year since 2017, the mayor said.

“As part of this proposed budget, new positions have been added within the Development Services division to address the recent building boom in Whitehorse,” she said. “This proposed budget includes a new, full-time development officer to help offset considerable pressures in the department.”

Cabott said the budget also provides for an additional permanent client service representative which will greatly improve service delivery times.

Important positions are also being added to the recreation and facility services department, she said.

Cabott said the city’s summer day program is one of the most popular programs offered by the city.

More full-time staff will be hired to compensate for the program’s popularity, she said.

“Youth programs play an important part in the development of children, and this council continues to support opportunities to create safe, inclusive and quality programs for Whitehorse youth.”

Cabott thanked Whitehorse residents, many of whom took the time to provide feedback and ideas on how council can make Whitehorse a better place to live.

“I’d also like to thank previous councils, as well as administration, for getting us to a stable financial position that allows us to increase services to a growing population within one of Canada’s geographically largest cities.”

The mayor concluded her budget address by inviting residents to provide their thoughts on the budget.