Mayor Laura Cabott has delivered the city’s proposed operating budget of $100.3 million for 2023, and it calls for a 3.37-per-cent increase in property taxes.

“Council and administration have worked hard to ensure this operating budget supports our community’s growth and expectations and respects the value of tax dollars,” Cabott said in her budget address during Monday’s council meeting.

“It maintains our exceptional levels of service and identifies opportunities to be more efficient with our spending.

“This operating budget also considers the wide-ranging negative economic impacts we are seeing across the territory and the country.”

The mayor pointed out the city is also subject to increasing costs, including a boost of 6.3 per cent in the Consumer Price Index compared to last year.

The price of gas has gone up 12 per cent, while the price of diesel fuel to run the city’s fleet of heavy equipment has risen 34 per cent compared to the same period.

Cabott said replacement parts for essential equipment have risen anywhere from 10 to 20 per cent.

“Despite these changes, we have been mindful to keep property taxes as low as possible without adversely impacting service levels,” the mayor said.

“We know that any change in taxes has a direct impact on residents, and it is the city’s role to ensure it maximizes every tax dollar it collects and avoids spending what it doesn’t have to.”

In addition to the proposed increase in property taxes, she noted, the water and sewer rate would increase by 3.36 per cent and the rate for handling solid waste would rise by six per cent.

The bylaw required to adopt the 2023 annual operating budget received first reading Monday night.

A public input session on the proposed budget is scheduled for council’s Feb. 27 meeting, to be followed on March 6 with a report to council on the input received.

Second and third readings of the bylaw are scheduled for March 13.

The proposed $100.3-million budget represents an increase of $7 million over the 2022 operating budget of $93.5 million.

There was a 2.65-per-cent increase in property taxes last year.

Council approved the capital expenditure budget for 2023 in mid-December. It calls for expenditures of $57.1 million.

Of the total, however, $42.2 million is dependent on external funding approval, primarily from the Yukon and federal governments.

A total of $15.6 million in capital expenditures has been confirmed for 2023.

Cabott noted Monday the city’s population is nearing 31,000, and is expected to keep growing.

As the city expands, she said, it needs to be prepared to address mounting demands on city infrastructure, the delivery of services and programming.

The city’s infrastructure is aging, putting heavier pressure on city staff who have to maintain, repair or replace key pieces of water, sewer and road infrastructure, she said.

Cabott said without additional support, the growth is not sustainable.

The budget, she said, calls for the addition of two more city staff for the department responsible for water and waste management.

The two positions will help improve the efficiency, effectiveness and timeliness to ensure when somebody flushes the toilet or turns on the tap, things work as they should, she said.

The mayor said the city is not immune to the financial implications of climate change, as evidenced by the April 2022 mudslide that closed down Robert Service Way for six weeks.

As well, there is the potential for a slide near Takhini that could take out a key piece of sewer infrastructure, she said.

Cabott said the budget would increase support for snow and ice control which would provide city crews with the ability to be more responsive to the needs of the community in years of significant snowfall.

“Housing and development has repeatedly been identified as a strategic priority of council,” she said

“By adding a senior planner, the city can continue to address the housing crisis, make more land available for development, and begin the planning of Whitehorse’s next large subdivision south of McLean Lake.”

Cabott said the city continues to look for ways to expand transit service, which is why it went back to the drawing board last year.

The addition of two new routes has been identified, which will increase transit service hours by 35 per cent without requiring a rise in the number of buses, she said.

The mayor said they are also proposing to expand the Handy Bus service to help manage peak demands during the week.

The city, she said, is also planning to add a staff position to support two committees created by council last year: the housing and land development committee and the committee charged with focusing on improving inclusivity and diversity in the community.

Cabott said the city is proposing to hire a specialist in equity, diversity and culture to look for ways to foster a positive, diverse and inclusive workplace.

The Robert Service Campground, which hasn’t operated since 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will be open this year with a new facility to host small gatherings and events, she said.

“It is also important to recognize the value of our partnerships,” said Cabott.

“The City has prioritized relationships with the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council and the Kwanlin Dün First Nation to improve service delivery across our communities.”

By working together, the city and First Nations can advance worthwhile initiatives, such as the flying of banners to mark Orange Shirt Day, or the installation of the Every Child Matters crosswalk, she said.

To begin Monday’s meeting, the mayor noted this week, First Nations are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow.

It’s the landmark document that led to the settling of aboriginal land claim and self-government agreements in the Yukon.

She also noted the flags of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council have been hung in council chambers to fly alongside the territorial, federal and city flags.

It’s an acknowledgement of the two governments the city shares this land with, she said.

In closing, the mayor invited all residents to provide their thoughts and feedback on the proposed budget.

“We appreciate hearing your important opinions as it helps us finalize a budget that is responsive, inclusive and fiscally responsible,” she said.

“We look forward to hearing from you.”