Last chance to provide your input on the 2024 Municipal Budget!

Survey closes today, October 31, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.

Property taxes are an important revenue for the City. When combined with program fees, user fees, facility rentals, and additional funding sources, they make up the available money (revenue) coming into the City that is then spent on the services, infrastructure, programs, and projects that you rely on daily.

The City also looks at long-term planning and investment to meet the needs of the community and encourage future growth. All of this is summarized in the annual municipal budget, an itemized plan for the revenue coming in and the expenditures going out.

Complete our brief survey to provide feedback on the 2024 budgets and future budget engagement. All responses are anonymous.

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The City of Timmins Environmental Services department wishes to advise the public that the Preventative Boil Water Advisory for the Pine Ridge Motel & Trailer Park has been lifted.

Area: Pine Ridge Motel & Trailer Court

Date Advisory Lifted: October 26th, 2023

 Critical maintenance on the system was completed followed by satisfactory bacteriological sample results. City staff would like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation during this work.

City Council has approved updates to the Downtown Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Safety Improvement Grant. Business owners across Timmins, in all city wards, will be able to apply for a safety improvement grant of up to $7,500 to add safety features, like security cameras and fencing, to their business property.

Last night’s Council approval saw amendments to the current Community Improvement Plan Project Area, designating the entire City of Timmins as an improvement project area. This allows for changes under the Downtown Community Improvement Plan, specific to the Safety Improvement Grant, to expand the eligible business area and increase the maximum grant allowance.

"The recommendations approved for the City’s Downtown Community Improvement Plan – Safety Improvement Grant, are designed to give more business owners the opportunity to add security features like cameras, lighting, and fencing to their business properties," said Mayor Michelle Boileau. "Council understands that immediate social concerns have required that businesses increase security measures. There is a tangible cost to business owners arising from issues around homelessness and mental health and addictions. If we can provide assistance, through a simplified safety improvement grant process, and increase the amount of funding available, we can help mitigate some of this cost."

Once the mandatory appeal period is complete, businesses in commercial, industrial, institutional, or rural zones, and legally non-conforming commercial, industrial, or institutional businesses (excluding home-based businesses) on residentially zoned properties, can apply for a Safety Improvement Grant. Approved amendments also streamline the application process, eliminating the need for a second quote for proposed work and the “one time only” requirement. Businesses can continue to apply for a safety improvement grant, for multiple projects, up to a maximum grant amount of $7,500.

In addition, tenants leasing business space on a multi-tenant property will be able to apply for the Safety Improvement Grant, removing the limit of one application per property.

All other available grants under the Downtown Community Improvement Plan are subject to the Downtown Community Project Areas for Timmins, Schumacher, and South Porcupine.

City Council has approved changes to the Elderly Property Tax Assistance Credit, making the eligibility criteria consistent with the existing Low-Income Utility Rebate and raising the rebate amount available for qualified homeowners. The changes will simplify the application process and help more seniors and low-income earners stay in their homes.

Beginning in 2024, the Elderly Tax Assistance Credit will be renamed the Low-Income Tax Rebate and will require that homeowners:

• Be receiving social assistance within the year of application from one of the following:
  •  Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
  • Ontario Works Social Assistance
  • Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Be a resident of the City of Timmins
• Occupy a single-family dwelling in the City of Timmins on which municipal property taxes or utilities have been levied
• Be assessed as the owner of the residential property for the entire current year of application

Council also voted to increase the rebate from $300 to $350 effective January 01, 2024. This is the first tax rebate increase since 2016. Eligible homeowners will be able to apply for both the Low-Income Tax Rebate and Low-Income Utility Rebate once per year.

“The cost of living was a common concern brought up at our recent public ward meetings across the city. Inflationary changes are making it difficult for Canadians to afford basic necessities. Council is committed to providing relief where and when we can. You have seen this strategy rolled out in recreation with free family and senior swims, and now, through a streamlined property tax and utility rebate program. As we head into the 2024 budget process, we are focused on bringing more value for the tax dollar. – Mayor Michelle Boileau


“The City’s rebate programs continue to be successful, but the Tax Department has found that the inconsistency in criteria between the existing Elderly Property Tax Assistance Credit and Low-Income Utility Rebate was causing some confusion for residents applying for credits. These changes will streamline the process and offer relief to more seniors and low-income earners. We want to make it simple and straightforward for homeowners to get the help they need.” – Natalie Moore, Director of Finance & Treasurer

In 2023, the City of Timmins has issued $66,330 in tax rebates and $28,700 in utility rebates. Homeowners can still apply for this calendar year before December 31, 2023. Information and applications can be found online at www.timmins.ca.

The City of Timmins Environmental Services department wishes to advise the public of a Preventative Boil Water Advisory.

• Area: Pine Ridge Motel & Trailer Court
• Date of Advisory: October 22, 2023 until further notice.

The City of Timmins is requiring you to take the following steps:
• Users of the water supply should bring their water to a rolling boil for one minute prior to consumption;
• Any water used for cooking/food preparation must be boiled then cooled prior to use; and
• All water taps must be posted, indicating that the water is not safe to drink.

The Preventative Boil Water Advisory will remain in effect until the sample results confirm the water is fit for human consumption. City staff would like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation during this necessary process, and advise that if there are any questions, concerns or requests for additional information, they may contact the Service Timmins at 705-264-1331 during business hours. After-hours emergencies should be directed to 705-264-1201.

The City of Timmins Environmental Services Department, Waste Management Division, wishes to inform the public that waste and recycling carts that are normally scheduled for pick up on Friday will be delayed or postponed until tomorrow, Saturday October 21, 2023.

There will be a crew working this evening until 8pm. If your carts are not collected today please have them curbside no later than 7:30 AM, Saturday October 21, 2023.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and we appreciate your patience.

The City of Timmins Environmental Services & Public Utilities Department wishes to advise the public of a watermain maintenance in the following areas:

Area:
• All of Porcupine, East of Bristol Rd

Date & Time of Disruption:
• October 23, 2023 - Temporary Water Disruption 8AM to Midnight

With the watermain maintenance you might experience reduced or fluctuating pressure and/or brown or rust-colored water during the disruption. It is recommended not to drink or wash laundry with discolored water. While it is not harmful to your health, it can stain laundry. Should this occur, it is advised to turn on the COLD water tap closest to the source (usually your laundry tub tap) and let it run for approximately 15-20 minutes or until the water color has returned to normal.

Road closure within this area might last longer than the estimated date and time of disruption once the repair is made.

City staff would like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation during this work.

The City of Timmins Environmental Services & Public Utilities Department wishes to UPDATE the public of a watermain maintenance in the following areas:

Area:
• All of Porcupine, East of Bristol Rd

Date & Time of Disruption:
• October 19, 2023 - Temporary Water Disruption, has been changed from 8 AM to 6PM

Even though the watermain break is currently isolated and pressures are back to normal, repairs need to be done and you might experience reduced or fluctuating pressure and/or brown or rust-colored water during the disruption.

City staff would like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation during this work.

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The City of Timmins Environmental Services & Public Utilities Department wishes to advise the public of a watermain maintenance in the following areas:

Area:
• All of Porcupine, East of Bristol Rd

Date & Time of Disruption:
• October 19, 2023 - Temporary Water Disruption, 8 AM to 12PM

Even though the watermain break is currently isolated and pressures are back to normal, repairs need to be done and you might experience low pressure, brown or rust-colored water during the disruption. It is recommended not to drink or wash laundry with discolored water. While it is not harmful to your health, it can stain laundry. Should this occur, it is advised to turn on the COLD water tap closest to the source (usually your laundry tub tap) and let it run for approximately 15-20 minutes or until the water color has returned to normal.

City staff would like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation during this work.