City budget: Londoners sound off as politicians mull 2025 spending plan

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City hall held its first and only public participation meeting for the $1.4-billion 2025 budget update on Tuesday evening, welcoming a total of 45 speakers. LFP reporter Jack Moulton takes a look at the big-ticket items Londoners were most concerned about. 

ARK AID’S SHELTER BEDS

Far and away the top issue of the night was the funding of Ark Aid Street Mission’s 90 shelter beds at the Cronyn-Warner building at 430 William St. and 696 Dundas St.

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Kevin Dickins, deputy city manager of social development, told politicians and the public the new funding from the federal government would be able to cover the $4.3-million annual tab, with some caveats recently set by city council on resting spaces.

Despite that, many supporters took to the microphone to express the importance of Ark Aid’s services.

“(Our residents have) seen the benefits of allowing homeless residents a place that they can call home and feel safe,” said David Wrather, president of the board of directors for Warner Place Senior Residence, a building attached to Ark Aid’s William Street shelter.

“The level of care that people get there is extraordinary, and it’s a very important resource for the city,” said John Lean, a volunteer with Ark Aid.

EXTREME CLEAN PROGRAM

The VHA hoarding and extreme clean program, aimed at helping frail or disabled tenants keep their units clean from hoarding and prepped for pest control, has also been a hot topic of discussion after being cut from the budget.

Dickins began the meeting by also announcing that the city has reached an agreement with the province to fund the program, both through existing city budgets and new provincial dollars – meaning no tax impact.

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It was welcome news to many speakers in the gallery who have navigated pest control themselves, or support those who do.

“An ounce of prevention is a pound of cure, if we have these homeless prevention programs, then we’ll reduce the encampments,” said Penny Moore, a disabled citizen in the gallery.

COMMUNITY GRANT CUTS

Many of the dozens of London’s non-profit organizations also voiced their opposition to a proposal that would see $500,000 a year in community grants cut to $250,000 at best and zero at worst.

Pillar Nonprofit Network is leading the charge, with chief executive and former city councillor Maureen Cassidy telling politicians that non-profits are often stepping in when governments fall short.

“The city’s budgetary decisions send a message intentional or not, about the value placed on the non-profit sector,” she said. “Cuts to programs like this feel like the city is asking the sector to run a marathon while taking away their shoes.”

Some residents criticized how the decision to cut grants squares with the priorities of council when setting the four-year 2024-27 budget.

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“It’s ridiculous to give $700 million to the police, and then cut very minuscule community grants,” said Vieno Kniivila, who spoke online. “I just really question the vision of the future that council is presenting with this budget, because it’s not a positive one.”

POLICE BUDGET, AGAIN

Several people also expressed their frustration with the four year, $672-million budget ($168 million annual average) for London police, and what they viewed as a lack of scrutiny and discussion during last February budget talks.

Many also took aim at the payment of $104,000 to the PR firm Navigator by the police board to campaign for the budget increase.

“The London police services board . . . ran and paid for an expensive public relations campaign aimed at telling Londoners their city wasn’t safe when in fact the police data didn’t support it,” said Anna Maria Valastro.

Police and bylaw budget increases made up over half of the 8.7 per cent tax hike this year, and city staff confirm that the 2025 budget increase for London police so far makes up two percentage points of the proposed 7.4 per cent tax hike.

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WHAT’S LEFT IN THE BUDGET?

Politicians will have their say on any changes during a meeting Thursday, and an extra meeting Friday if needed. A meeting will be held Nov. 27 to finalize any changes to the 2025 spending plan, and Morgan will have to signal his intention to veto changes with his so-called strong mayor powers by Dec. 2.

Ahead of any potential changes, London property taxes will increase by 7.4 per cent in 2025, down from the previously projected 8.7 per cent. A 7.4 per cent increase would add $265 to the property tax bill of an “average” London home – “average” being one assessed at $252,000.

Expected tax hikes are slightly bigger in 2026 and 2027, increasing to 6.4 per cent from 5.7 per cent and to 6.8 per cent from 6.7 per cent, respectively.

jmoulton@postmedia.com

@JackAtLFPress

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