Given the proximity of the City of St. Catharines and the need to look at the Region surrounding Lincoln Ontario as it has a direct and indirect impact on the growth and development of the Town, we wanted to provide a highlight post about the recent State of the City Address given by Mayor Mat Siscoe of St. Catharines.
There has been a lot of discussion how the Niagara Region can work together to approach regional growth and development and we feel its important to look at what the Mayor and his council have planned for the future.
The mayor’s State of the City speech highlights several key accomplishments and challenges faced by St. Catharines. Here is a detailed overview and the top ten highlights:
- First Multi-Year Budget: The Financial Management staff, led by Kristine Douglas, successfully delivered the first multi-year budget in the city’s history. This achievement came amidst navigating the new Strong Mayor process, showcasing the city’s commitment to prudent financial planning.
- Low Tax Increase: Despite the challenges faced in 2023, the city managed to keep the tax increase for 2024 low at 0.72% on the average homeowner’s tax bill. This accomplishment reflects the city’s effort to minimize the financial burden on its residents.
- Access to Grants: Over the years, there has been a significant increase in accessing grant funding at upper levels of government. From 1.8 million in 2021 to 30.5 million in 2023, this growth signifies the city’s success in securing external financial support for various initiatives.
- Housing Development: The mayor emphasizes the need for more control at the local level to facilitate housing construction. Encouraging shared services and collaboration across municipal boundaries is essential for addressing housing issues in St. Catharines.
- Community Connection: The Mayor’s Reading Challenge has been a surprising success, highlighting the community’s interest in such initiatives. This program demonstrates the importance of creating connections within the community beyond traditional municipal matters.
- Fire Services Expansion: The Fire Services department, under Chief Dave Upper, is making significant strides. Breaking ground on a new Station 2, designed as the city’s first zero-carbon building, reflects a commitment to sustainability and modernization within the department.
- Infrastructure Development: The ongoing downtown redevelopment project aims to enhance the city’s core while building on the Creative Cluster Master Plan. This initiative signifies a holistic approach to urban revitalization and economic growth.
- Financial Resilience: Despite facing increased social pressures and costs from upper levels of government, the city managed to introduce a tax increase deferral program for low-income seniors while maintaining downward pressure on taxes in 2024.
- Collaborative Leadership: The mayor recognizes the efforts of CAO David Oakes and Deputy CAO Erin O’Hoski in securing grant funding and leading the city through financial challenges. Their leadership has been instrumental in accessing substantial grant dollars for various projects.
- Pioneering Initiatives: St. Catharines Fire Services is at the forefront of innovation, with plans to implement Next Gen 911 services in collaboration with the Niagara Regional. This forward-thinking approach underscores the city’s commitment to public safety and technological advancement.
Overall, the mayor’s speech highlights a mix of achievements, challenges, and future aspirations, showcasing the city’s progress and commitment to addressing key issues facing St. Catharines.
The full address can be found here: https://www.stcatharines.ca/en/council-and-administration/resources/Documents/Documents/State-of-the-City-2024-on-Letterhead.pdf
