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Staff Reports

At a Special Council Meeting held on November 4, 2025, the City of Port Colborne’s 2026 Levy, Capital and Rate Budgets were formally presented and, in accordance with legislation under Strong Mayor Powers, have now been deemed adopted with the following amendments:

4.1 Capital and Related Project Budget and Levy (Operating) Budget, and 4.3 Rates Budget

Amendments 1 and 5 -  A funding substitution for the capital project known as C.2 Council Chamber Systems Upgrade where the budgeted storm sewer, wastewater, and water funding is substituted for an equal amount from the General Infrastructure Reserve, and that the budgeted storm sewer, wastewater, and water funding be instead transferred  to the Storm Sewer Reserve, the Wastewater Reserve, and the Water Reserve.

Amendments 2 and 6 - A funding substitution for the capital project known as G.3 Centennial Park Wetland where the budgeted storm sewer funding is substituted for an equal amount from the General Infrastructure Reserve, and that the budgeted storm sewer funding be instead transferred to the Storm Sewer Reserve.

4.2 User Fees and Charges

Amendment 3 - Amending the draft 2026 User Fees and Charges by-law by updating the preambles to reflect the authority of Strong Mayor Powers.

Amendment 4 - A Marina Fee Amendment that sees the draft 2026 User Fees and Charges by-law be amended with an updated version.

4.4 Rates Setting

Amendment 7 - Amending the draft 2026 Water and Wastewater Rates By-law by updating the preambles to reflect the authority of Strong Mayor Powers.

Amendment 8 - Amending Schedule A to the 2026 Water and Wastewater Rates By-law as follows:

Flat Rate (Residential) updates

  • When a residential meter cannot be read, billing for water and wastewater will be based on the average monthly consumption for the previous 12 months. If a residential account does not have 12 months of previous consumption, then the average consumption will be based on the number of months previously billed.
  • Also new to this section is when a meter can’t be read that appointments should be made to repair meters reading correctly. If an appointment is refused after three attempts, the water will be shut off.

Water for New Construction Rates updates

  • As a procedural change, following 14 days after the payment and pickup of a water meter, rates are no longer subject to this section.