Whitehorse mayor proposes 'no frills' operating budget with 4.6% property tax hike

Whitehorse's mayor says the $119-million city budget he's proposing for 2025 has nothing extravagant about it.

Mayor Kirk Cameron presented the operating budget at city hall on Monday, saying it was designed to adjust to the city's growth and that it had "no frills." 

If it passes, homeowners in Whitehorse can expect their property taxes to go up 4.62 per cent, which works out to $130 for the average household per year. Water and sewer fees would also go up by three per cent.

Cameron said it would be the biggest budget in Whitehorse's history. Last year's was $110.5 million.

"I have noted often that Whitehorse is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada," said Cameron. 

"With growth comes increasing demand for the many programs and services that we provide to our citizens.… We must maintain our infrastructure and facilities to meet these needs."

Cameron said the budget has a focus on safety and accessibility, and also recognizes that Whitehorse's aging municipal buildings need to be maintained. It dedicates more than $400,000 to that kind of maintenance, with things like asset management and preventative work. 

"While this may not sound very exciting, these are critical and proactive investments," said Cameron. "They are intended to minimize service disruptions and ensure the long-term sustainability of the City's facilities and equipment."

2 programs may become permanent 

The budget allocates money to make two pilot projects permanent: $307,000 for the snow and ice control program, and $180,000 for the FireSmart program. 

The snow and ice control program removes snow in the downtown core, and aims to keep accessible parking stalls and accessibility ramps clear as well. Cameron said more enforcement throughout the city has helped to keep sidewalks clear and safe, and that the money would allow that work to continue. 

Continuing to fund the FireSmart program, meanwhile, will "ensure we continue to work collaboratively with citizens to mitigate wildfire risk across the city through home assessments, fuel abatement projects, and expanded public education campaigns," said Cameron. 

"I wish to recognize that our efforts here are in a period of increasing risk as climate change delivers growing threats to our community and to the territory."

Active transportation investments

Whitehorse residents can expect to see an increase to fees and charges for some municipal services, like public transit and parking. 

The budget also includes investments in active transportation, including a two-year pilot program that'll clear snow from two different trails and open up winter transportation options for people in those neighbourhoods. 

One of those paths is the Elijah Smith trail, which connects the Hillcrest neighbourhood's road network to Hamilton Boulevard to the north, offering access to the Elijah Smith Elementary School and other neighbourhoods like McIntyre. The other is the Hamilton Boulevard trail which runs alongside its namesake. 

Councillor Anne Middler, a staunch advocate for active transportation, says she would like to see more funds dedicated to active transportation. She spoke about the city's capital budget, which was tabled last month and passed by councillors at Monday's meeting.

"I will be supporting this budget," said Middler, about the capital budget.

"I just hope that in the future being able to have a hand in it [the budget] a little earlier on its development, that we can ensure that it aligns with our priorities and the plans that we are trying to achieve while also recognizing we have a number of competing priorities."

Citizens can have a say on the proposed operating budget at city council chambers on February 10.