Council Approves 2025 Capital, Solid Waste, and Water and Wastewater Budgets

On November 19, Council approved the 2025 Capital, Solid Waste, and Water and Wastewater Utility Budgets including their respective 10-year Capital plans. 

Council met on October 1, October 22, October 29, and November 5 to review and amend the draft 2025 Capital, Solid Waste, and Water and Wastewater budgets. Council and Administration held detailed discussions on the draft budgets identifying the needs and priorities of the City. 

2025 Utility Budgets 

Water and wastewater

The Water and Wastewater Utility treats and distributes safe drinking water, provides fire protection water, and collects and treats wastewater for both the City of Kenora and Wauzhushk Onigum Nation. 

The Water and Wastewater Utility Budget funds all aspects of treatment, distribution, collection, instrumentation, chemical, administration, and infrastructure costs associated with this level of service. The Utility is self-sustaining and supported by user rates with no property tax revenue used to support this service. 

Following a comprehensive review of the City’s water and wastewater systems and needs, Watson & Associates Economists Ltd., the firm tasked with the review, recommended an increase of 8.8% to 9.2% (depending on meter size) to water and sewer rates for 2025 and 2026. 

Council adopted this increase, which supports the ongoing replacement of existing assets, slows the growth of the infrastructure deficit, improves revenue stability, and establishes a modest reserve balance to support any unexpected expenditures that may occur outside the approved budget. 

Water and Wastewater Budget highlights include:

• Increase of Water and Wastewater User Rates by 8.8% to 9.2% (depending on meter size) for 2025 and 2026, increasing revenue by approximately $1.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively.
  • Depending on use, an average household that consumes 11.5 cubic meters of water can expect an increase of $12.61 per month in 2025 and $13.58 per month in 2026 depending on use.
• $3.0 million for the water main and wastewater collection replacement and rehabilitation program.
• Increase $1.2 million for City’s Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants from $300,000 in 2024.
• Hospital servicing and Norman-Keewatin waterline redundancy are included in the 10-year capital plan for over $23 million.

Solid waste

The Solid Waste Utility manages the City’s solid waste by processing garbage received through curb-side collection and at the Transfer Station or redirected to the Kenora Area Landfill. The Utility is self-sustaining and supported by bag tag and tipping fees with no property tax revenue used to support this service. 

Solid Waste Budget highlights include:

• Projected decrease in revenue through reduced commercial volumes of $385,772.
• Capital investment in vehicles and equipment of $136,500.
• Effective January 1, 2025, Transfer Station fees will increase by 3.5% overall and the cost of a bag tag will increase to $2.60 per bag. These increases were approved by Council as part of the 2024 Solid Waste Utility budget. 

2025 Capital Budget

The capital budget includes several critical projects that improve our community. Planned Capital investment for 2025 is $11.4 million, with a ten-year projected amount of $199.4 million, including utilities. 

Capital budget highlights include:

• $3.1 million for paved road network improvements, including $798,000 for Highway 17 from Winnipeg River East Bridge (hospital bridge) to the west, and $1.2 million for Ninth Street North, west of Twelfth Avenue North to Beaver Brae Secondary School.
• $3.0 million for the water main and wastewater collection replacement and rehabilitation program.
• $1.5 million for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades.
• $576,000 for hard surface and loose top roads.

The adoption of this 2025 Capital budget contributes only a 1.16% increase of the net tax levy ($359,975). Further discussion will occur in conjunction with the 2025 Municipal Operating budget on the net tax levy impact. 

We would like to recognize the time and efforts made by City staff, who worked so diligently in partnership with Council to develop a budget that maintains services and strengthens Kenora. Investing in key projects and infrastructure will ensure the City is prepared for the community’s future needs.

Media contact

Ryan Marsh, Director of Finance
rymarsh@kenora.ca