London City Council Meeting Abstract

Summary

London City Council tackled growth management and cultural development priorities. The meeting centered on extending the UNESCO City of Music designation through 2027, allocating approximately $60 million in annual assessment growth revenue to fund growth-related services, and addressing transparency concerns about how taxpayer dollars support cultural programs. Council unanimously approved funding for transit expansion, housing development, and police staffing while debating whether the city's unique approach to handling growth revenue should be reformed to allow greater public input.

Topics Discussed

1. UNESCO CITY OF MUSIC TRANSPARENCY CONCERNS: Councillors demanded greater public accountability for the Music Office's $350,000 annual budget, requesting detailed expenditure breakdowns, public dashboards showing how funds are spent, and clearer processes for selecting artists for international exchanges. The community expressed feeling disconnected from the program despite London being named Music City of the Year in 2024, with concerns that diverse cultural artists don't feel adequately supported.

2. ASSESSMENT GROWTH FUNDING POLICY ($60 MILLION ANNUALLY): London's unique approach of handling assessment growth revenue outside the regular public budget process came under scrutiny. Unlike other Ontario municipalities, London delegates these spending decisions to staff rather than council deliberation. The $60 million funds growth-related costs including garbage collection, snow plowing, transit expansion, police staffing, and library services in new developments, following a "growth pays for growth" principle established around 2016.

3. TRANSIT SERVICE EXPANSION TO EMPLOYMENT AREAS: Council approved $2.1 million in permanent annual funding for London Transit Commission to purchase four new buses and expand service to Innovation Park and growing residential areas where residents currently walk 2 kilometers to reach bus stops. Implementation is delayed until 2028 due to 18+ month bus delivery timelines. This marks the first time transit expansion is funded through assessment growth rather than property tax increases.

4. PROPERTY TAX CRISIS AND BUDGET OVERSIGHT: Delegate Mr. Butler warned that London's property tax assessment rate has climbed above 1.6%, placing the city in the top five highest in Ontario. He identified three areas of municipal cash flow operating outside normal budget oversight: assessment growth funding, annual budget surpluses of approximately 4% on a billion-dollar budget, and reserve fund interest on $400 million in reserves.

5. INFRASTRUCTURE GAP AND STAFFING GROWTH: The city added 343 new positions over 2023-2024 (excluding police and agencies) at an average cost of $124,441 per employee including benefits. Council expressed concern about the growing infrastructure gap and requested an updated Corporate Asset Management Plan to assess the city's ability to maintain aging infrastructure while building new facilities in expanding neighborhoods.

Motions

PASSED (14-0): Extension of UNESCO City of Music Action Plan through 2027 with amendment requiring alignment with economic development and downtown plans, community needs assessment, public participation forums, and reporting on governance and funding sources

PASSED (14-0): CMHC loan agreement for London & Middlesex Community Housing, freeing up previously allocated city funds for building regeneration work

PASSED (14-0): Assessment growth funding allocation including transit service expansion, library digital collections, police staffing to maintain current ratios, parks operating costs, and human resources expansion

PASSED (14-0): Delegation status for Mr. Butler to address assessment growth funding concerns

PASSED (12-0): Motion to move confidential item involving Crown agency information to beginning of agenda

PASSED (12-2): Extended speaking time for delegate by additional 2 minutes

Attendees

Present: Mayor Morgan, Councillor Hopkins, Councillor Stevenson, Councillor Trussau, Councillor Pelosa, Councillor Pbleser, Councillor Ramen

Staff: Corey Crossman (Director, London Music Office), Mr. Murray (Finance), Mr. Chisum, Ms. Derspair, Superintendent Harvey (Police)

Delegates: Mr. Butler, Mr. Bryant (written submission)

Note: 14 councillors voted on final motions, indicating full council attendance, though not all members were identified by name in the transcript.